Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has accused the Government of failing Irish farmers on the issue of the Nitrates Directive.
The EU is seeking the new measures to curb the use of fertilisers in an effort to improve the quality of drinking water.
Mr Kenny said it beggars belief that this Government, despite holding the European Presidency, has not managed to prioritise one of the biggest issues for farmers today.
He said it is clear that the Government is in the process of negotiating a bad deal for Irish farmers.
Mr Kenny said there are reasonable ways around the implementation of the directive.
