Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

One is in Waterford and one is in my area. I might get Deputy Coffey to give me a hand with it because we share that territory, provided the Minister does not take him into Kilkenny. This is an important part of the legislation. I will press the amendment because it matters if one gets a certificate.

Deputy Wallace asked a pertinent point. What happens when this is all finished 20 years hence and when a good deal of money has been spent? I realise there is no open cheque but hardship cases will be billed by the Minister. There will be a great deal of money because there will be a great deal of hardship. Can the Minister state with any great degree of certainty that household septic tanks are causing any degree of pollution? The Minister knows this and it is the kernel of the situation. The county council and local authority systems are still polluting us, even though they have spent millions. This is a total red herring. Does the Minister believe the country people will accept this legislation or be bullied into submission once more by a Government that came to this House claiming openness and transparency and that it would sort out everything, but instead is attacking the ordinary people? The Minister knows this and that is the genesis of the legislation. I will put this to a vote.

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