Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important legislation which raises many issues for rural communities. As a Deputy representing both Sligo and north Leitrim, a large part of my constituency contains people who will be affected by this legislation.

Ireland is now facing the imposition of substantial penalties and fines from the European Court of Justice. The European Commission lodged an application to the court for this purpose in July. We are in this situation due to the lack of prioritisation given to the matter by the previous Government. I compliment the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, who has taken the bull by the horns by acting decisively and without delay.

Despite having had a Green Party Government from 2007 to early this year, no proposals were put before the House, even with the EU breathing down our necks. In the renewed programme for Government in 2009, there was a clear commitment to bring forward proposals. However, the previous Minister was too busy to do anything because he was trying to watch his partners in Government who were effectively clinging on to power at all costs.

There is considerable concern regarding the registration fee of €50. During the summer, I had to listen on my local radio station in Sligo to Independent MEP, Marian Harkin who, for her own political expediency, organised community meetings across the Ireland West constituency to tell people that this registration fee would be €300. It is a far cry from €300. People had every reason to be frightened and concerned and she was helped in disseminating this misinformation by the Opposition. As a public representative, why could this MEP not contact the Minister directly on this matter? I suspect the truth might not have offered much of a story for the road show. It is fundamentally wrong that politicians would seek to make capital out of this issue when they know in their hearts that this Bill is necessary in order that we fulfil our EU obligations and avoid paying massive fines.

I ask the Minister to consider ways and means to provide aid for people who must upgrade their septic tanks and who do not have the financial capacity after the registration process is complete in 2014. Infrastructure funds for upgrading our town and village sewerage facilities should be considered. A percentage could be siphoned off into a fund for such people living in the rural communities. This option along with aid that provided through the Leader programme should be examined by the Minister. Local partnership and development companies are rolling out the warmer homes initiative, which grant aids the provision of insulation for homes and targets citizens who qualify on the basis of their income. I would like this model to be examined.

Development companies involved in the roll-out of the Leader programme are ideally positioned to provide support after 2014 and, as the Minister is responsible for these agencies, he should consider this proposal. I acknowledge that this will not arise until the completion of the registration process and I further recognise that only a small percentage of these units will not do what they are supposed to do. However, I ask the Minister to consider these ideas. Perhaps departmental officials could examine them.

I wish to highlight the current issues pertaining in County Leitrim. In January 2010, the then Minister, John Gormley, issued circular PSSP 1/10 to all planning authorities regarding the implementation of the 2009 code of practice on wastewater treatment systems serving single houses. This circular basically insisted that each local authority must be governed by the code of practice. It means that counties such as Leitrim with soil that has poor percolation could not allow planning for one-off houses served by a septic tank or similar system. This means the sons and daughters of farmers are prevented from building on their own land because of this famous dictat from the previous Government and this has, rightly, caused outrage across this rural county.

The Minister visited and met the members of Leitrim County Council last June to hear their concerns and those of the rural communities they represent which are extremely frustrated with this situation. I appreciate his time and his Department's efforts to date with the council to try to seek a resolution to this impasse. The council has put forward a Danish system it believes can meet the required conditions unique to Leitrim and that can be adopted to the consistent rainfall unique to our north-west region. The STRIVE programme, based in Wexford will take four years, which is too long. I urge the Minister to consider allowing the council to run with this system on a pilot basis. These systems can be monitored regularly, inspected and amended accordingly. If the Minister, the Department and the EPA can facilitate this proposal, then we will be able to see light at the end of the tunnel.

I believe this Bill to be the fairest way of complying with our obligations under the wastewater directive.

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