Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1648: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will agree to a reduction in the buffer zones around water abstraction points for drinking water and the payment of compensation when lands are sterilised. [32555/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The reduction in the buffer zones around water abstraction points was among the issues raised in submissions received during the public consultation process that formed part of the review of The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations, commonly known as the 'Nitrates Regulations'. These regulations constitute the legal basis for Ireland's National Action Programme under the Nitrates Directive. The Regulations fall due for review this year.

An Expert Advisory Group was established to consider the submissions. The Group presented its' report to me and to my colleague the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government last week.

The conclusions and recommendations of the Group are now under consideration and will inform any adjustments to the National Action Programme.