Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

However, most of the recent reports on the quality of water indicate that where there are private group water schemes, the quality of water on average is far better than that in many outdated public water systems. Will the Minister differentiate the different areas of the country with regard to nitrate usage?

This Bill which implements an EU directive is important. However, when I see the serious effects of some of the directives which have been transposed into Irish law, I hope the Minister is not implementing a directive which will cause as much difficulty as the Habitats Directive under which 25% of some counties is designated. This has had consequences for the way of life of many people. If we are now going to encroach upon a reasonable way of life, we are fast entering a cul-de-sac from which we will not be able to exit.

We need high quality water supplies, yet the Department and its agencies have been the greatest offenders in destroying them. The River Shannon and Lough Derg are classic examples of this, as the Minister would see if he ever cared to visit them. I welcome Senator Mansergh's concern about incineration. We have to change our ways. It is time for the Minister to change his also instead of saying, "Get tough, stay tough."