Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Stanley is the only Member in the House at the moment at whom I am really surprised. He was a member of Laois County Council and knows what it is like for people to have wells that are contaminated. As I do every week, I am sure he fills out forms for people looking for water softeners, for iron to be withdrawn from wells, for UV lamps to be bought and for pumps to be replaced. He knows exactly what it is like. From going into farmyards he knows the costs people have in terms of water for washing down a bulk tank and a meter down the end of the laneway with a standing charge from Laois County Council because they are regarded as commercial users. He knows exactly what it is to dispose of that water. He knows the difficulties farmers have had for years with this. He knows the environmental protection regulations to which farmers must adhere.

His attack on this €100 is the one thing that disappoints me. In my time on a local authority I spent much time with Deputy Stanley through the Local Authority Members Association and other things. I know his heart is very much in rural communities, as is mine. Why would he be against this? I can understand why the other two Deputies would be against it because they are against everything that goes on in the country.

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