Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss Water Quality Monitoring Report on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations in Irish Waters 2022

The meeting at 12:00 in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be split into two sessions:

• 12:00-13:30 – Representatives from Environmental Protection Authority;
• 13:30-15:00 – Representatives from Irish Farmers Association.

Ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “This report by the Environmental Protection Agency was discussed by the Committee at its recent meeting with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding water quality and the Nitrates Derogation.

“The Committee raised concerns then around the methodology used by the EPA in compiling the report. We were particularly concerned that the EPA has used a more severe method in determining deterioration in water quality than that used in other EU Members States and by the EU Commission.

“Members agreed to invite the EPA before the Committee at the earliest possible date and we now look forward to discussing the compilation of this report and the methodologies the EPA has used in this report because it is going to be critical in our battle to secure our derogation. The Committee also welcomes the IFA representatives to hear their view on the report and how it impacts the farming sector.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.