Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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104. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any ‘plan B’ if the nitrates derogation is abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18336/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Nitrates Directive (Council Directive 91/676/EEC, as amended) includes a legal provision whereby a Member State can apply for a derogation to facilitate the application of livestock manure to land beyond 170 kg Nitrogen/hectare. Such a derogation must be based on strict scientific criteria and must not prejudice achievement of the Nitrates Directive's objectives.

There are currently no proposals at an EU level to remove the facility to apply for a derogation from the Directive.

Ireland has availed of a Nitrates Derogation since 2006. Our current Nitrates Derogation runs until the end of 2025. The Irish Government is absolutely committed to applying for an extension to Ireland's Nitrates Derogation post-2025 and all our efforts are focused on putting the best case forward. That process will commence formally in the coming months.