Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss a matter of national importance, namely, the current interpretation and implementation by the Government of the EU water directive which is undermining the success of applications for planning permissions for one-off sites in certain parts of the country, especially in County Leitrim where 90% of applications will fail to get planning due to the Government's absurd interpretation of this directive. Given the lack of flexibility on behalf of the Department, I went to Brussels with county councillors from County Leitrim and Mr. Jim Higgins, MEP, where we met the Commissioner who believes the Department's interpretation is causing this problem. We would want to put our own house in order before we blame Brussels.

See this speech in context