Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I agree with Deputy Martin regarding the plight of citizens who are waiting for new medical cards and who are caught in a bind because they have not received their medication. However, I want to talk to the Taoiseach about a different issue. Yesterday, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, announced a temporary reduction in the registration cost for septic tanks from €50 to €5 and this is to be welcomed. However, hundreds of thousands of rural dwellers still face the prospect of punitive bills for the upgrading or replacement of septic tanks. Does the Taoiseach accept that this discriminates against rural dwellers, that it is an attack on them and on rural communities? Billions of euro have been spent on upgrading and providing a modern sewerage system in urban areas. Rural households helped to pay for this with their taxes yet they are being forced by the Taoiseach's Government to bear the burden of the cost of improvements, upgrades or replacement. Is dona an scéal é go bhfuil pobal na tuaithe faoi ionsaí ag an Rialtas agus tá na mílte daoine ag cur in aghaidh an pholasaí seo trasna an Stáit. Sílim go bhfuil an ceart acu. The Taoiseach insists that rural householders will have to make improvements. We are in agreement about a clean environment and clean water and so on but on the other hand he is failing to provide standards or funding, he is threatening citizens with fines and prosecutions if they do not comply and he will criminalise rural households. Should not all people be treated equally? In another flip-flop, the Minister, Deputy Hogan, said this morning that some financial aid will be available but he did not give any details. I ask the Taoiseach to assure rural dwellers and communities that a full grant aid scheme will be available for those who are forced to upgrade their septic tanks.

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