An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2025-12-09
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Malcolm Noonan (GP), Agricultural Panel

Following up on the issue of the nitrates derogation, it would be useful to have the Minister, Deputy Heydon, in here at some point. He is claiming a victory on this but it is a pyrrhic victory in many ways. We have three years now to look at the alternatives and at what the future is for the derogation in Ireland. Could it be the unthinkable, a future without derogation? What might that look like? It might look like a regenerative model of agriculture that takes into account significant changes in our climate over many years and the fact our water quality is not improving. Regardless of what is being said, it is not improving and agriculture is partially responsible. There are other causes too, but farmers need to be supported and led into a scenario where there could be long-term payments for delivering co-benefits for water quality, nature and climate. We will head into this cycle again in two years, on this Government's watch, and we will be in that derogation panic again. It is important for the Minister to come in here to explain what his plan is over the very short period of the derogation.
I also want to raise the work of Down Syndrome Ireland. I attended an event with Down Syndrome Kilkenny and the support groups and families. Many family members were looking very tired after looking after their children over the past year. Many of them have to voluntarily raise funds for speech and language services. These are vital services for these children who can go on to live full, productive and happy lives in the workforce if this support is given at a critical early stage. Unfortunately, it is all down to the Down Syndrome Ireland groups across the country, largely. Many of them are exhausted from the work they have to do and from voluntarily raising funds to pay for speech and language services that should be provided by the State. There are black spots across the country. The south east, where there is a huge lack of services, is particularly bad. I ask the Minister, Deputy Foley, to address this issue as a matter of urgency.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-12-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:26+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-09