Micheál Martin insists Fianna Fáil supports nitrates derogation

Mr Andrews had said he does not "agree with continuing with the nitrates derogation" because climate is the "issue of our lifetime". 

Ireland’s current derogation is due to expire on January 1, 2026, with the derogation limit reduced to 220kg/ha from 250kg/ha at the start of this year in certain areas.

That prompted a number of Fianna Fáil candidates to distance themselves from the comments and the Tánaiste to post a statement to X.

“The Fianna Fáil party is absolutely committed to applying for and securing a nitrates derogation at European level and the party’s policy is crystal clear in this regard,” it said.

Fine Gael's John Mullins said Mr Andrews "threw a curveball by declaring he’s against the nitrates derogation", putting him at odds with his own Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue.

“Fine Gael are absolute in our support for the nitrates derogation. 

"Ireland’s distinctive grass-based system justifies the need for this derogation, and I firmly believe it should be maintained to support our farmers effectively.

“It’s all too easy for Dublin MEPs to dream up policy positions that hit hard in rural Ireland. 

"Their disconnect could sow chaos among our farmers who were rightly rattled by the debate last night."

Meanwhile, Labour's Niamh Hourigan said that any vote for Fine Gael in this Friday's elections was a vote for the retention of Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president. 

Ms von der Leyen is the nominee of Fine Gael's European grouping, the European People's Party, but has faced criticism for her handling of the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza.

Ms Hourigan said: “Casting a ballot for Fine Gael in the European elections on Friday means endorsing Ursula Von Der Leyen’s military-driven and insular approach to Europe. 

"Her response to the war in Gaza has been nothing short of disgraceful and does not reflect Ireland’s position or values, as she has continued to support Israel despite their on-going bombardment.

“The Socialists and Democrats Group, which Labour is aligned with, is the only force capable of challenging the European People’s Party led by Von Der Leyen."

In the Midlands North-West constituency, Fianna Fáil senator Lisa Chambers hit out at the Green Party for its "window basket" policy.

Ms Chambers said that Green Party opposition to the Galway Ring Road is "the biggest single impediment to breaking the vice-like grip that traffic gridlock has on Galway’s growth".

“Their window-basket economic approach is, therefore, stagnating and even choking a city and region that has clearly been identified by Europe as disadvantaged, having been downgraded to a ‘Transition Region’ a number of years back. 

It is the only region in Ireland, in fact, with this status, which is acknowledgement of the huge imbalance."