Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with other Departments and State agencies with a view to meeting the EU Biofuels Directive requiring Ireland to replace 2% of petrol and diesel with renewable fuels by the end of 2005. [6973/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, is responsible in the first instance for the promotion and development of renewable energy, including biofuels, and is committed to the development and promotion of a biofuels market in Ireland's transport fuel sector.

An interdepartmental group, chaired by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and comprising officials from my Department, the Departments of Finance and Transport, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, has been set up to consider policy options for the development of a biofuels sector in Ireland.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which she has measured the potential impact of the nitrates directive and its likely effect on production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6931/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

My Department in association with Teagasc has for some time been evaluating the possible effect on farming of the further implementation of the directive. These studies have indicated that the great majority of farmers are already operating below the general limit of 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare specified in the directive and so their stocking levels would not be affected. A proportion of farmers, mainly in the dairy sector, operate above that level. A proposal has been made to the European Commission for arrangements that would allow farmers to continue to operate at organic nitrogen levels of up to 250 kg per hectare level under appropriate conditions. The Commission has indicated that it will consider this proposal when the nitrates action programme itself is agreed.

Teagasc, at my Department's request, is currently finalising a farm facilities survey to establish baseline data on farm facilities and management practices relating to manure, dirty water and fodder systems. This survey will allow a more precise assessment of the amount of additional manure storage capacity that will be needed to meet the requirements of the action programme.