Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if an on-farm reed bed to dispose of run-off from a farmyard which meets all the specifications as laid down by the local authority and complies with all environmental regulations should exclude a person from participating in the REP scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32660/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In the autumn of 2003, my Department, together with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, set up a technical working group to determine whether earth-lined stores, out-wintering pads and constructed wetlands or reed beds should have a place in agricultural practice.

The working group has taken expert advice from a variety of researchers and other sources and has been preparing detailed specifications and guidance documents for each of these systems. The specifications and guidance documents for the earth-lined stores have been submitted to my Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and are being considered.

The guidance documents and specifications are being finalised for constructed wetlands and a recommendation will be made to the two Departments as soon as this work is complete. It would be improper to allow the use of constructed wetlands prior to the reporting of the technical working group on the system.

The rural environment protection scheme, REPS, is designed to be of a higher standard than good farming practice and must set best practice in the areas of slurry storage and soiled water treatment. It would not, therefore, be appropriate that this system be allowed in REPS areas prior to the report of the technical working group on the matter.