Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

It is nice to see the former Minister walking out just as I rise to speak. He had a little rant for a few minutes. It has been suggested that we are thumping the EU by blaming it for this measure. A little research will reveal that the waste directive was introduced in 1975. Septic tanks in Northern Ireland have to be registered under legislation that was introduced in Northern Ireland and the UK in 1973. We have done nothing since the 1975 directive was amended in 1991.

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