An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-25
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Eileen Lynch (FG), Agricultural Panel

I rise to call out the deeply irresponsible actions of An Taisce. Yesterday, it sought to challenge Ireland's nitrates derogation, which we were successful in securing last year. This is a move that risks doing enormous damage to rural Ireland, farm families, the agrifood sector and the 7,000 farmers who are in derogation. Derogation is not a loophole or a shortcut, it is scientifically grounded and tightly regulated. It reflects the reality of Ireland's grass-based farming model. As I mentioned, it supports 7,000 family farms while still operating within a robust environmental framework. Despite all of this, we now see An Taisce asking the EU Commission to reconsider its decision to grant a nitrates derogation.
At a time when farmers are already under immense pressure as a result of rising costs, regulatory burdens and the growing global uncertainty, this action sends a terrible message that ideology is being prioritised over practicality and litigation over collaboration. We have to protect our water quality. Farmers want to protect their water quality. Anyone in derogation wants to protect water quality. Progress is made by working with farmers, not working against them, and by supporting behavioural change, investment and innovation rather than by seeking to query a decision that has already been made and that was fought hard for by the Minister for agriculture, MEPs and politicians here.
What An Taisce is doing risks undermining confidence. It could damage livelihoods and create division where unity is needed. If this succeeds, the consequences will be severe and will lead to reduced stocking rates, loss of income and a direct hit to rural economies right across the country. I urge An Taisce to reconsider this approach and to engage in meaningful dialogue instead of pursuing this adversarial action that will ultimately harm the very communities we are all meant to serve.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-25/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:46+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-25