Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)

The Minister is a very practical man of common sense. There needs to be some toning down of the provision. If my geography is correct, County Leitrim borders County Fermanagh and a person over the ditch could be in Northern Ireland where the administration is not overly restrictive in its conditions. There is cross-Border uniformity in many matters and I suggest we examine the regulations in the Six Counties. One of the provisions they have there is for a de-sludging exercise. The local authority in Northern Ireland will carry out the first desludging and I believe there is also some grant aid available. It is a more simplified system and I ask the Minister to take a good look at what is being done there. The EPA is causing serious fright among people.

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