Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to resume discussions on ‘Compliance with the Nitrates Directive: Implications for Ireland’ with EPA

The meeting at 5.30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will hear from representatives of the EPA led by Dr Eimear Cotter, Director, Office of Evidence and Assessment.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “The Committee has spent considerable time this year examining the impact of the European Commission to reduce Ireland’s derogation under the Nitrates Directive from 250kg to 220kg per hectare. We have heard the concerns and views of farmers, the agrifood sector, environmental groups, State agencies and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

“Before the Committee reports its conclusions and recommendations, we felt it prudent to wait for the latest Water Quality Report for 2023 from the Environmental Protection Agency, which was published late last month. The Committee welcomes this engagement with the EPA and looks forward to discussing its latest findings and their impact with Dr Cotter and her colleagues.”

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.