Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has said that all farmers seeking a nitrates derogation will be "treated equally" when it comes to applying the Habitats Directive.

Earlier today, it was confirmed that Ireland will retain the nitrates derogation for a further three years, following a key vote in the EU.

However, the derogation will come with several new conditions, and a requirement for Ireland to apply the Habitats Directive - a EU law separate to the Nitrates Directive, which the derogation comes under - before deciding which areas of the country can avail of a derogation.