Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the derogation under the nitrates action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16639/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the nitrates action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16638/06]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the implementation of the Nitrates Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16625/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has had discussions with the Department of Agriculture and Food in regard to alleviating the impact of the nitrates directive on the wider economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16809/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 60, 76 and 243 together.

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 948, 949, 951, 952, 973 and 980 of 25 April 2006 and No. 181 of 27 April 2006. Consideration of the issues arising from recent scientific advice on the implementation of the Nitrates Action Programme is being advanced by my Department, the Department of Agriculture and Food and Teagasc with a view to developing a formal submission to the European Commission this month.

Ireland has sought a derogation from 170 kg to 250 kg organic nitrogen per hectare from the Commission for the benefit in particular to 10,000 dairy farmers. The derogation proposal will need to be considered at future meetings of the Nitrates Committee before approval can be obtained. While the objective had been to secure agreement of a derogation by mid-2006, at present these discussions are in abeyance pending finalisation of the issues arising from recent scientific advice.

In developing proposals for the implementation of the Nitrates Directive in Ireland, high priority continues to be given to the attainment of least-cost solutions for the farming sector. Implementation of the Nitrates Action Programme and the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice of the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2005 will bring about beneficial effects for the environment generally and water quality in particular.