Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the EU Commission regarding a derogations under the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37724/05]

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. Ireland's national action programme was formally submitted to the European Commission in July. Regulations giving legal effect to the programme are being finalised following a consultation process. Ireland is also proceeding with the case for a derogation designed to allow certain farmers to operate, under appropriate conditions and controls, up to a level of 250 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare per annum.

My Department and Teagasc have worked closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in developing the action programme, the regulations and the proposal for a derogation. Discussions on the derogation are now under way. My Department is taking the lead in this matter and, with the support of Teagasc, will continue to work with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government toward achieving a successful outcome.