Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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294. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update regarding the enforcement of nitrate pollution related to farming; if his attention has been drawn to algal blooms, related to the overuse of nitrates, causing discoloration and other issues to the water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54254/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations (SI 113 of 2022, as amended). These are commonly known as the GAP Regulations and my Department works closely with Minister Browne's Department with regard to these Regulations and the Nitrates Action Programme.

As part of this work, my Department undertakes administrative checks and farm inspections regarding compliance with the GAP Regulations.

All farmers with grazing livestock are subject to annual administrative checks regarding compliance with their stocking rate limits as set down in the GAP Regulations.

The GAP Regulations also provide limits for chemical Nitrogen and Phosphorus depending on stocking levels and soil indexes. These limits prohibit excessive use of nutrients.

In accordance with EU rules, my Department conducts inspections on 1% of farms subject to Conditionality requirements under the direct payment schemes. For farmers availing of the nitrates derogation the annual inspection rate for my Department is at least 10% of eligible applicants as required by the Commission Implementing Decision granting Ireland's current nitrates derogation. Farmers selected for on-farm inspection regarding Conditionality or in response to a nitrates derogation application are also subject to desk-based checks by my Department regarding their chemical Nitrogen and Phosphorus use.

In addition to the aforementioned inspections, on behalf of the Local Authorities my Department also conducts farm inspections specifically focused on the GAP Regulations. In both 2024 and 2025 over 600 of these inspections were conducted by my Department.

The Local Authorities also conduct inspections on farms regarding the GAP Regulations. Under the current Nitrates Action Programme, the National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP) has been established by the EPA facilitating a standardised risk-based approach to these inspections.

Explanatory Handbook for Conditionality Requirements 2023 – 2027 Version 23-0312. Under the NAIP, the Local Authorities are encouraged to where appropriate "cross report" non-compliances identified during their farm inspections under the GAP Regulations. This allows my Department apply financial sanctions where necessary to these farmers' area-based payments. My Department also receives cross reports of non-compliances with the GAP Regulations from Inland Fisheries Ireland.

I am aware of a small number of algal blooms incidents which can arise from excess nutrient from a number of sources including agriculture, waste water treatment etc. My officials have ongoing engaging with officials in Minster's Browne's Department on all water issues associated with nutrient including algal bloom.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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295. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether existing regulations are adequate to prevent the excessive use of nitrates leading to potential run off into the water system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54255/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My colleague Minister Browne's department is responsible for leading development of Ireland's Nitrates  Action Programme (NAP) and my department works very closely with his department on this important work area.

Ireland's current NAP introduced significant changes and is providing the strongest protections to date nationally for water quality from an agricultural perspective. In February of this year, additional measures were introduced to further strengthen the current NAP as part of the interim review of that Programme.

The next NAP is due to apply from January 2026. Officials from both departments are engaging with stakeholders through the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group and have developed a list of impactful proposed measures from a water quality perspective for that programme.

There has been significant engagement with the agrifood sector over the last number of years in relation to improving water quality and it is vital to continue this momentum. The Nitrates Regulations form the baseline for reducing nutrient losses and improving water quality, however incentivisation, industry support, as well as knowledge exchange and advisory are also key aspects required to achieve the optimum overall approach.

The Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme is providing free advice to farmers located in priority areas for action. The 'Farming for Water' EIP is providing significant funding to incentivise farmers to target additional measures in priority areas. The Teagasc 'Better Farming for Water' Campaign is promoting eight key actions for change related to nutrient management, farmyard management and land management, and many dairy co-ops have developed sustainability schemes which sets standards for environmental protection, including water quality.

I am confident a combination of current and future measures under the NAP, combined with a continuation of the existing significant commitment and engagement by the entire agrifood sector will translate into improved water quality.