Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome our two guests, in particular the Carlow woman. Like Deputy McAuliffe, most of the questions I had intended to ask have been asked. I may have missed them because I was attending a Zoom meeting. Will somebody explain the 25 cu. m and the related licensing?

Following on from Deputy McAuliffe's point, enforcement through the local authority is so important, not least in regard to whatever licences have to be applied for. As an example of something that has not worked in the past two years, our guests will recall that the Oireachtas introduced a law whereby septic tanks had to be registered at a cost of €50 to the local authority. People who did not register can get no grants. I am working with local authorities and at least six people have come to my clinics in the past six months who did not register the €50 with their local authority, and now they cannot get anything. We need to ensure that information is given and that people understand whether they need to get a licence, to register or whatever. That has been the biggest issue facing me in respect of septic tanks in my area and we need to change it, although I acknowledge that is not a matter for the Bill. I am afraid we will find ourselves in a position where the correct information is not sent out. People may not realise this has to happen and perhaps they will not do what they have to. Then something might happen and they will be told that nothing can be done for them. Going forward, information is critical, as is explaining it, such as in the case of the example I outlined.