Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2004
59 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the discussions she has had with the European Commission and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding a derogation under the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29192/04]
View answerThe implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance. A national action programme under the nitrates directive was prepared by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in consultation with my own Department, following consultation with the various stakeholders, discussions with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress and consideration of the recommendations of Mr. Denis Brosnan, appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as an independent adviser on the issue. The national action programme was submitted to the European Commission in October.
In parallel with and in line with the Government's commitment under Sustaining Progress, an application for a derogation from certain provisions of the action programme was submitted to the European Commission last week. A detailed scientific argument in support of the derogation was prepared by my Department and Teagasc, in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
