Speaking at the Green Party’s Climate and Nature Policy launch today, candidate for Carlow-Kilkenny, Malcolm Noonan, said accusations that the Green Party doesn’t understand rural Ireland are wrong and, on the contrary, the Greens’ on-the-ground approach to water quality will work far better to support the retention of the Nitrates Derogation than Fine Gael's solution of yet another committee.
The incumbent TD, who has ministerial responsibility for nature and water quality in Government, said: “The Greens will support the farmers, foresters, fishers, ecologists and the enthusiasts to work together in partnership to restore nature and improve the health of our rivers and lakes. But for some reason, rather than get their hands dirty, Fine Gael would prefer to set up a cabinet committee on the Nitrates Derogation to talk about the problem.
“The Greens have never been afraid of getting our hands dirty. I’m from a rural constituency, I represent a lot of farmers, I’ve had a lot of conversations in farmyards. I know that to get things done you have to work together. It’s not always easy. But if you’re serious about change, it’s the only way. And we are.
“I’m backing family farms and rural economies and it’s wrong for anyone to suggest otherwise. That includes supporting the retention of the Nitrates Derogation. I’ve travelled across the country as Minister for Nature and met hundreds of farmers who are doing their best to protect the natural world. Losing the Derogation doesn’t necessarily mean that water quality will automatically improve. But it does mean significant negative consequences for farmers, and it will have knock-on effects for the wider rural economy.”
As a Minister in the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, Mr Noonan has focused on ensuring that the Department and agencies are equipped to work in partnership with farmers to provide the information and supports they need to take the right measures. This includes funding for 60 additional water quality staff at local level, a major new €60 million ‘Farming for Water’ European Innovation Project and a new national Water Action Plan, launched in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, earlier this year.
“The only way to save the Derogation is by taking a science-based approach to improving water quality and I think we have to help farmers to do that. They need to be paid, well advised and supported with training to make the right choices for them and their particular farm’s circumstances.
“We don't have long to save the Derogation - the decision will be made at the end of 2025, so it's not another committee we need, it's action on the ground. We need to look to the Water Action Plan - which Fine Gael clearly haven't done - because the detailed actions in that plan will lead us to better water quality if everybody works together and plays their part.
“For my part, If re-elected, I will continue to work to ensure that family farmers are supported by the Government's €3.15 billion Climate and Nature Fund, a measure that I pushed for but Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael blocked.
"Right now farmers need certainty and they need support, they don’t need another committee.”
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