John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Irish Water can never eliminate a possible objection, but in the case of Bunmahon, there has been very proactive engagement from the community and there is a very good group in place that is working to try to ensure the proper facilities are put in place to service the community. The hope would be that that engagement piece would reduce the issue. Could other measures, such as those suggested by Mr. Gleeson, be front-loaded?

I want to raise a point that is not particularly within Irish Water’s remit but I did not get the opportunity to ask the EPA earlier. There is a grants scheme in place for domestic septic tanks, which had to be registered before February 2013. I know of a couple of cases where there is a difficulty, although this is more for our report and I am just asking for an opinion. Where somebody bought a house in 2018 or 2019, they were not responsible for registering that septic tank in 2013. However, because the tank was not registered in 2013, they are not eligible for the grants. As a result, it is a particular issue the local authorities have in terms of enforcement and the person having the ability to carry out those works. For the purposes of our report, would Irish Water support the adjustment of such a measure to regularise that so a new homeowner who bought a property subsequently is not penalised for the inaction of somebody else back in February 2013?