Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of farm inspections carried out by local authorities to date in 2009 under the nitrates regulations; the corresponding figure for all water related environmental inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47821/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Local authorities operate under the general supervision of the EPA in relation to the performance of their environmental functions. The Agency collects and collates data annually on water related inspections from all 34 local authorities. The most recent figures available are in respect of 2008. In that year the total number of routine water-related inspections carried out by local authorities was 63,178. Of these 5,137 (8%) were farm inspections relating to water. Local authorities will submit their data for inspections carried out during 2009 to the EPA by 31 January 2010 and I understand the Agency will make these figures available in February 2010.

Discussions are ongoing between my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and local authority representatives to rationalise the existing farm inspection arrangements and to put in place a robust regime that benefits both the State and the farmer. The aim is that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will commence carrying out inspections for the purposes of the Nitrates Regulations early in 2010. In the meantime the existing arrangements continue to apply.