Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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1265. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has been in contact with the European Commission regarding the nitrates derogation; if so, what specifically that contact has entailed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11455/25]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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1266. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has met with the European Commission to discuss an extension of the nitrates derogation for Ireland; if so, what was discussed at those meetings and what the outcomes of those meetings were; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11456/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1265 and 1266 together.

My department attends all of meetings of the Nitrates committee and will attend all 2025 meetings also. In relation to discussions around the nitrates derogation, at the December Nitrates Committee meeting which took place on 12th December 2024, my department advised the EU Nitrates Committee, that in accordance with Paragraph 2 (b) within Annex 3 of the Nitrates Directive, Ireland wished to apply for permission to continue applying in excess of 170 kg of livestock manure N per ha from 2026, subject to a set of conditions that will ensure that application is scientifically justified and will continue to contribute to the achievement of the Nitrates Directives objectives of reducing and preventing water pollution caused by agricultural nutrients.

Since the December meeting there have been three bilaterals with the European Commission.

My department will continue to engage with the commission to ensure it gets the best possible outcome for Ireland post 2025.