A junior minister at the Department of Agriculture has branded the Social Democrats’ position on the nitrates derogation “completely out of touch”.
Minister of State for Forestry, Horticulture and Farm Safety, and Kerry TD, Michael Healy-Rae has criticised the party’s environment spokesperson Deputy Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore raised concerns with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Jessika Roswall, about the impact that continuing the derogation would have on Ireland’s environment and nature.
She claimed the government is staggering hypocritical, with the Taoiseach talking at COP30 in Brazil about the need for leadership on climate action, while his cabinet lobbies to extend the nitrates derogation.
Minister of State Healy-Rae says he spoke to the commissioner about the importance of the derogation for the survival of Irish family farms and the rural economy.
He accused the Social Democrats of lacking an understanding of Irish agriculture and how many livelihoods depend on it.
