Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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90. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any assessment of the impact the removal of the nitrates derogation would have on Irish water quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18333/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In 2022 the Government published Ireland's 5th Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) and secured our current Nitrates Derogation which runs until the end of 2025.

Ireland's 5th NAP is the most robust to date in terms of measures to protect and improve water quality and the associated Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations (SI 113 of 2022, as amended) apply to all farmers; not just derogation farmers.

Farmers who wish to avail of the Nitrates Derogation are obliged to undertake environmental training and to abide by additional rules over and above that required of other farmers. They are also subject to a higher level of inspection as required under the Commission Implementing Decision granting Ireland's Nitrates Derogation.

Reducing agriculture's impact on water quality is a matter for everyone in the agricultural sector and everyone must work together to improve water quality. All farmers, derogation and non-derogation, have an obligation to comply with the Regulations to protect and improve water quality.

There has not been a specific assessment of the impact of removal of the Nitrates Derogation on Irish water quality, however the conditionality attached to our Nitrates Derogation is designed to manage the risks to water quality associated with higher stocking rates.

Removing the Nitrates Derogation in and of itself will not solve Ireland's water quality challenges and the Irish Government is absolutely committed to seeking another Nitrates Derogation post-2025.