Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide an estimate of the cost of introducing an inspection regime by local authorities to ensure compliance with nitrates regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14137/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Local authorities have primary responsibility for implementation of the Nitrates Regulations, including the inspection of farmyards, since their introduction in 2005. This is in keeping with their statutory responsibilities for the protection and improvement of water quality acting under the supervision of the EPA. Information in relation to the costs incurred by local authorities on inspections is not available to my Department.

The most recent amendments to the Regulations, which were introduced as a key part of the State's response to a judgment of the European Court of Justice in relation to inadequate transposition and implementation of the Dangerous Substances Directive, provide for strengthened enforcement by local authorities under the farmyard inspection provisions of the Regulations, and improved farmyard management. In addition to the inspection activities of local authorities, implementation of the Nitrates Regulations is supported by farm inspections carried out by staff of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the context of the operation of the Single Farm Payment Scheme and cross-compliance requirements.

The amendments recently introduced enhance the basis for sharing information between the local authorities and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food so as to improve efficiency in the management of the respective inspection regimes. The draft regulations were the subject of extensive consultation with the European Commission in their preparation as well as a public consultation process.