Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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159. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he expects the nitrates derogation will be renewed; by which time it will be renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24883/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government clearly sets out this Governments ambition to present the best case possible for continuance of Ireland's current Nitrates Derogation whilst working with farmers to deliver improved water quality. Ireland's current Nitrates Action Programme and Derogation remain in place until the end of 2025.

A Cabinet Committee on water quality chaired by the Taoiseach to coordinate water quality improvements across all sectors and to work with farmers and industry to secure Ireland's Nitrates Derogation at EU level has been established demonstrating the Government's significant commitments in this regard.

My Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage attend the EU Nitrates Committee meetings. At the December 2024 Nitrates Committee meeting, my Officials advised 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 170kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare 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 Directive’s objectives.

As part of that process to secure our next Nitrates Derogation, Ireland's first presentation was made at the EU Nitrates Committee meeting which took place in March.

My Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will continue to engage with the European Commission and other EU Member States to ensure we get the best possible outcome for Ireland post-2025. Based on the likely schedule for EU Nitrates Committee meetings, one can expect those discussions will continue for the rest of this year.