Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I concur with Deputy Wallace that a county council is liable if it passes a septic tank on the basis of the information submitted in a planning application. If it is subsequently found that the system does not work, the council is responsible. We will take that into account.

A survey carried out in the Deputy's county of Wexford revealed that 77% of those surveyed were in compliance. It is, therefore, not a big issue in County Wexford.

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