Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív is dead right. When this legislation is enacted, all householders will be obliged to meet the standards laid down. Moreover, as Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan noted, all householders want to meet these standards. All Members seek is for the Minister to put his money where his mouth is, by giving grant-aid to all householders to upgrade to the highest standards possible. Moreover, for the Minister to try to suggest the EPA regulations of 2009 will not be applicable, or possibly even the EPA regulations of 2012 at this stage, is a complete fallacy. In the real world, be it agriculture or industry, the latest standards must apply, as why have standards otherwise? The Minister has suggested standards dating from 1957 or 1948 or whenever one wishes. While such suggestions might have washed at one time, they will not do so any more. The Minister and Deputy Tom Hayes know this better than do I.

Fine Gael represents the people who live up the long boreen or rather the long avenues with daffodils on the side. Although they are coming out early this year, they will wilt with the cold weather and the snow, just as Fine Gael will wilt before the next general election. This is because the people have only had to put up with it for ten or 11 months but already hate it with such a ferocity that they are waiting for it. It will not be getting many more votes from the cottiers or any place else from which they might have swung in and out last year in the big cars. It will not happen anymore because the people will not be caught again.

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