Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

If the Deputy disagrees, he should argue against them in a logical and rational fashion. However, all he wants to do is to exploit the fears of people living in rural areas. The people to whom I have spoken in rural areas are committed to their environment and water quality. There is a way to achieve this, part of which requires the Government to respond to the court ruling which found against the State and exposes us to very considerable financial penalties. This legislation constitutes a measured response. It will not involve a charge of €300 per household, as the previous Government proposed. It does not call for the inspection of every household, as the previous Government proposed. It will not require compliance with the most recent SR6 regulations, as the previous Government proposed.

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