Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

That is the most meaningless reply I have ever heard from a Minister. Nothing meaningful has happened regarding the objective of improving our ground water and addressing contamination from septic tanks. We have been waiting 18 years for the EPA manual to be updated. The Minister is implying that the commitments of the programme for Government are null and void and there is no commitment to meet the water framework directive obligations arising from the contamination of ground water by septic tanks. We are prepared to pay fines to the European Commission rather than do something meaningful about improving ground water.

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