Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 March 2005
79 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress which has been made with the European Commission regarding plans to deal with the nitrates directive; if she has been involved in any meeting with the Agricultural Commission; and if she will report on same. [6875/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Ireland submitted an action programme for further implementation of the directive to the European Commission on 22 October 2004. The Commission conveyed its view, by way of a letter of formal notice under Article 228 of the EU Treaty issued to Ireland dated 22 December 2004, that the action programme is not complete and does not comply with the requirements of the directive and the judgment of the European Court of Justice against Ireland delivered on 11 March 2004.
My Department is working together with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the preparation of a response to the Commission. Senior officials from my Department and their counterparts in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government are in contact with the relevant Commission officials and this process of consultation and negotiation is continuing. Agreement with the Commission is necessary not only to avoid the risk of substantial fines on Ireland but also to safeguard ongoing EU funding of rural development measures.
It remains my objective, and it is also the objective of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to reach agreement on an action programme that meets the objectives of the nitrates directive in terms of safeguarding water quality, while also minimising the burden of compliance that the agreement will place on farmers and safeguarding the future of the commercial farming sector.
