Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very difficult for them to bring prosecutions when they are the biggest offenders themselves. With regard to Newport, to be fair to the EPA, it cited the issue of wastewater given what is happening at the new treatment plant there. In Westport and Belmullet, where new treatment plants were put in during recent years, the quality of water has improved, particularly on beaches and at swimming areas. In general, water quality has improved because a treatment plant makes a lot of difference.

I find that the local authorities, not just for farms but even for rural houses, grant planning permission and then go out and examine septic tanks that have been there for 20 or 30 years, but they only go out if a complaint is made. If they find a problem that might cost €15,000 or €20,000 to resolve, they will not give people a grant because they are not in a catchment area where that can be grant-aided. The EPA should be making observations, although I know that is not its job. Some type of grant should be made available if there is a problem that needs to be dealt with. It is very unfair to see people who already have a mortgage and are struggling to live, and the next thing, the local authority comes out and examines their septic tank and finds there is a very serious difficulty, but there is no grant, help or support for them.

Overall, with regard to the EPA, we need to have people there to make sure the water quality is good but we need fairness in the system as well. I know the EPA tries to be fair. However, I want to know if industry is also examined, given the water quality coming out of much of the industry in this country.

Do they get the same examination as farmers do? I often wonder about some of these industries. In the case of one in north Mayo - I will not name it because it is not here to defend itself - it cost the local authorities and the State a lot of money to clean up the major mess it left behind. How that was ever allowed to happen in the first place, I do not know, but it happened. The company pulled out and left behind a mess. Do farmers get more inspections than businesses, the local authorities, Inland Fisheries Ireland and everybody else?