Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The debate on Committee Stage ran three hours shy of the time allocated at the select sub-committee meeting last week. However, many of the points that needed to be made and others which did not need to be made were made. It now appears that Members on the opposite side of the House were only getting started and needed a break in order to get going again today.

I was astounded by Deputy Eamon Ó Cuív's remarks during that meeting. We all know what happened during the cryptosporidium outbreak in Galway. We know that a malfunctioning wastewater treatment plant at Terryland was identified as one of the prime causes of the outbreak. Some €3.9 million was spent in Galway at the time. Some €133 million will be under the water and sewerage investment programme this year. We know that other cases of cryptosporidium have since been identified, although not on the same scale as that in Galway.

In response to my pointing to the problems with septic tanks Deputy Eamon Ó Cuív said that while the wastewater treatment plant had been identified as the cause of the outbreak, septic tanks or animals might also have been responsible. What he was actually saying was that we really did not know the extent of the problem. This legislation will help us to get to the bottom of it. It provides for identification of the location of septic tanks and states that where a septic tank malfunctions, it is the responsibility of the owner, in the public interest and common good, to solve the problem, whether there is a cost involved. To suggest, therefore, this legislation should not be enacted is irresponsible and short-sighted.

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