Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

-----and I was delighted when he was appointed Minister because I felt he was a rural man who would look after rural Ireland. Knowing his record, and knowing his neighbours from Newcastle who used to live beside him many years ago, I was sure that would be the case. I will not say what I would like to say about the previous Minister, John Gormley, but I had many battles with him. This proposal is off the wall. The Minister is attacking rural Ireland instead of defending it. I was sure he would defend rural Ireland but this legislation is off the wall. I do not know where it came from or why he allowed his officials to dream it up but he should back off it because it will not be accepted in rural Ireland. We have taken everything including the situation with the turf cutters, and I am delighted Deputy Flanagan is present, and the drink driving legislation. We have had a great deal of regressive legislation affecting rural Ireland but I can tell the Minister that this legislation will not work. No septic tank owner will pay to register. Why should they, when they all got planning permission? The lazy council officials should do a trawl. They have little to do now because not many planning applications are being submitted. They should be able to point out where these septic tanks are located. They know where they are. It is a trick-o-the-loop job, and we are not buying. I have never encouraged civil disorder in my life but I will on this issue. Nobody will register because this measure is unfair and unjust. The legislation is biased and it would not stand up in any court, never mind the European Court.

The Minister is a practical man but he should back off on this issue. He should put it on the back burner or do what he likes with it because it will not pass. All the rural people affected have been victimised. They had the courage, initiative and energy to get loans to buy sites, get planning permission, pay planning fees and build their own homes. They did not come knocking on the Minister's door or my door asking us to get them a house. They did it themselves, and now they are being penalised for that. What is next?

This measure will frighten the life out of rural people and kill any initiative they have. We will turn them into nasty people and when they come to Dublin I know what they will have behind the tractors and the tanks, and I know where they will put it. I have set up a Facebook page called - excuse the language - Stop the Shite, but loads of shite will be coming to Dublin.

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