Charles O'Donnell

The order impacts Dublin, south Co. Tipperary, and parts of counties Kildare, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow.

As well as that, the European Commission has proposed a Competitiveness Fund worth €234 billion in the next long-term EU budget for 2028 to 2034.

The National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS) said it is encouraging group water scheme members and rural households across Ireland to "take important steps" to reduce water usage.

It also said that derogations from that limit - like the 220kgN/ha limit for derogation farmers in Ireland - are a "tool for flexibility", but that they may also "affect the effectiveness" of the directive and therefore "have to be used carefully".

"Ireland now holds the presidency of the Council [of the EU] and there is a real point being pressed here around the Multiannual [Financial] Framework, around the European budget, and the fact that there cannot be a cut to CAP, but also that Ireland has to stand its ground in terms of this country's fair share of funding for agriculture," she said.

According to the VCI, its workforce report confirms that retention is a "significant challenge" across both veterinary nursing and veterinary professions.

It added: "This evaluation should have marked the beginning of a genuine reflection on whether a legislative framework designed more than three decades ago remains fully adapted to the challenges of 21 st -century agriculture.

'On June 18, Tirlán announced a 3‑month milk price commitment to cover milk supplied in the months of June, July and August, 'barring unforeseen events'

Share this article Kinisla has said that any audits or inspections carried out under clause 14 of its milk supply contract "would be carried out exceptionally, and for legitimate animal welfare or food safety purposes".

"There's an awful lot of people in society who work two jobs, and just because they're working one means they shouldn't be penalised in the other," the Ireland South TD added.