Apple's €14bn tax windfall can be used to secure retention of nitrates derogation
Taoiseach Simon Harris with members of government services at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois. Picture Dan Linehan
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have said the €14bn Apple windfall can have a role in retaining Ireland’s nitrates derogation through capital investment in the country’s water infrastructure.
Finance Minister Jack Chambers and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe are set to provide an outline for how the money will be spent when they announce the budget next month.
Speaking at the National Ploughing Championship on Thursday, Taoiseach Simon Harris said additional money can be invested in water and water quality.
The EU’s Nitrates Directive aims to protect water quality and limits the amount of slurry than can be spread and stored on Irish farms. The derogation allows Ireland to have higher stocking levels of cattle than other countries but it runs until the end of 2025 with a major campaign to retain it after that.
“As we now have big conversations in how we invest additional money in infrastructure, I really believe if we can invest additional money in water and water quality that can really help the case that we must make and will make and must win to retain the nitrates derogation for Ireland,” Harris said.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said there will be a general statement on Budget Day on where they believe the Apple money should be allocated but that it would focus on housing, water and the electricity grid.
“It’s no big secret. Basically, you are looking at housing you are looking at water infrastructure. There has to be a very significant allocation to water, which is a significant enabler of housing.
Asked if the money could support the retention of the derogation, he said: “It’s a bit more complex than that but yes, the more we provide wastewater treatment, to get better connections the water quality rises as well.
“Clearly there are huge capital needs, there are various significant projects coming down the line in terms of water. We simply have to provide more capital monies on top of what is already sizeable capital monies.
“But it’s only a once-off. Annually we are spending €14bn. What the Apple money can do is underpin plans in those three areas. So we can future-proof,” he said.
