Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

The Minister has been involved in the political scene longer than I have and a Member of the House for over 30 years. I am only in the place a wet week. However, taking a common sense approach, I know what the provisions to which I refer involve. I am aware of what will be the implications and know how the legislation will be interpreted by the EPA. If it is to do its job and, as Deputy Michelle Mulherin stated, ensure groundwater is protected from pollution which must be the case, it will be obliged to enforce stringent regulations on foot of what is set out in the legislation. These are the facts.

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