Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I would not particularly want to go back there. I recall the use of such toilets. I understand that the technology mentioned at the conference is more modern and more sophisticated. Is Dr. Ó hÓgáin aware of any advances in this area? I would like to ask a couple of questions about this technology. It is interesting from the point of view of one of the problems we have in rural areas. A particular problem arises when local authorities fit demountable dwellings without installing a septic tank on-site. I have always considered it logical that a toilet should be flushed with rainwater that had been harvested. It would be preferable for the second header tank that would be needed to be located somewhere other than the attic. I would like to get header tanks out of attics. The ground floor and second floor of a house owned by a woman who lives behind me was destroyed last week when her water tank burst. It would be perfectly logical to have a second tank that would be supplemented from the mains during dry periods.

When I made a submission during the establishment of Irish Water, I suggested that all new and replacement toilet cisterns should be dual-flush models. We should start doing that from a certain date, such as 1 January 2015. What is the view of the witnesses on that? There is a huge difference between the amount of water used in a dual-flush toilet and the amount of water used in an ordinary flush toilet. I listened to the reply that was given to Deputy Murphy's question about the cost of harvesting or capturing water. I am asking about two separate things which are compatible with each other - the use for dual-flush toilets and the use of a second header tank, as in the Carlow project. What would it take for such an approach to be pursued? Do the witnesses believe a grant should be made available for these purposes?