Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

There is no one who does not accept that we must guard the quality of our water supply and that we need a proper inspection regime. That is not the issue. The registration fee is not what is causing the difficulty. The problem lies with the legislation the Government is rushing through. The Government has failed to accept amendments from Sinn Féin and others. The legislation is explicit that a fine of up to €5,000 can be levied. There can be no fudging on this as it is there in black and white. However, it is the absence of a series of standards for septic tanks that causes deep concern, as well as the fact that, should a household be faced with undertaking significant works to bring a septic tank up to standard, the Government is making no commitment to families the length and breadth of the country that there will be a helping hand for them.

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