Thousands of farmers met in Cork last night and they are really angry. They are correct in being angry because the Government has put its head in the sand and pretended that business as usual will be able to continue and that Ireland will be able to retain its nitrates derogation. That is looking more and more unlikely. The reality is we have had the nitrates derogation since 2006. We got it on the basis we would improve our water quality but we have not done it in 20 years. The EU is probably going to tell us the derogation is gone and we will not be able to retain it. Where is the Government's plan B for these farmers? It has led them to a cliff on the nitrates derogation and there will be nothing in place for them come January if that derogation is not retained.

I thank the Deputy for raising this point. We in government fundamentally believe in the importance of the nitrates derogation. Our 7,000 derogation farmers are operating to a higher level of environmental sustainability and with a higher level of conditionality to meet that point. We know the economic value it has for our country, with 49% of our dairy herd in derogation and producing 65% of our milk. The majority of the €6.3 billion worth of exports from our dairy sector, which is so important to our rural economy, comes from that area.

That is why it is a top priority for me that I continue in my engagement with the Commission. Commissioner Roswall will visit Ireland later in the week. I addressed the meeting in Cork last night that 2,000 farmers attended looking for the retention of the nitrates derogation. I stand full square with them, as does the Government, in doing everything we can to retain the derogation beyond the end of this year.