Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

If Deputies opposite want to poison groundwater and water supplies and, in turn, damage the prospects of inward investment, that is their decision, not mine.

Groundwater is a source of drinking water for many people. Approximately 26% of the public and private drinking water supply is provided from groundwater sources. The EPA has identified effluent from on-site waste water treatment systems as one of the main sources of contamination of groundwater in Ireland. The 2006 census reported more than 450,000 households were served by septic tanks and other forms of on-site waste water treatment systems.

The Water Services (Amendment) Bill has been drafted to minimize the impact on householders. The registration fee payable, which will not exceed €50, will cover all administration and inspection costs and no additional charges, such as a re-registration charge, will be levied on householders. Responsibility for the prevention of pollution from septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems rests with the owners of premises served by such systems. Section 70 of the Water Services Act 2007 places a duty of care on owners to ensure their treatment systems do not cause a risk to human health or the environment or a nuisance through odours.

Householders who are meeting their responsibilities in this regard have nothing to fear from the risk-based inspection system that will be introduced under the Bill. The Bill specifies the basic criteria against which on-site waste water treatment systems will be inspected in line with article 4 of the waste directive. These are that the system does not endanger human health or the environment, including water, air and soil, the countryside and places of special interest.

Budget 2012 is a strong statement of this Government's support for the agrifood sector. It recognises the significant contribution the sector can make to economic recovery and growth. While acknowledging that savings have to be made in certain schemes due to the budgetary situation, the Government is targeting existing resources at active farmers, especially those in vulnerable sectors.

With regard to the disadvantaged areas scheme, there will be no changes in either the rates or the eligible areas qualifying for a disadvantaged area payment, despite the fact expenditure will be reduced by some €30 million in 2012.

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