Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Let us discuss the issue of fairness. Certainly, it is not fair that taxpayers are facing a daily fine after 3 February because of the failure of a previous Government to deal with issue since 2009. It must be and is being dealt with.

The Deputy is confusing what is included in primary legislation and the detailed regulations to be made subsequently in secondary legislation. The inspection regime for septic tanks will operate under the Environmental Protection Agency which has considerable experience of inspections and environmental controls and does its work in a reasonable way. What is included in the legislation is not unfair, but what is unfair is the approach being taken by some Members who are frightening elderly people, in particular, by suggesting they will be caught with-----

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