'Further flexibility' sought on time to show water quality improvements to keep higher derogation rate

"We had to agree to the mid-term review, and to the fact that 250kg could be reduced to 220kg in certain catchments if water quality was not improving."

A water quality review required by the European Commission will take place in the coming months. Picture: Damien Storan.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said he is working to see if Ireland can get "further flexibility around time" to show improvements in water quality. 

In March 2022, the Government secured a new nitrates derogation for Ireland covering the period 2022 to 2025.