McConalogue to come before committee earlier over nitrates derogation

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue was to appear before the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee on October 4, but this was considered too late as the European Commission is due to make its final decision the same month. He will now go before the committee on September 15.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue is to appear before an Oireachtas committee earlier than anticipated following criticism he has been “missing in action” over a potential move that could see farms becoming unviable.

Fine Gael politicians have called on the Fianna Fáil minister to stand up to the European Commission over a pending reduction in Ireland’s nitrates derogation which will lead to farmers reducing their herd with knock-on effects to communities and businesses.