Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I support the comments of Senator Kitt about the development of sewerage schemes in small towns, which is crucial. I admit that over the past 14 years the developments in this area have been extraordinary. I have watched schemes being built and developed, especially along the Shannon, and have seen how they have improved matters. This must be the future. I do not understand bio-systems completely. I am conscious of what the Minister said recently about one-off rural housing and I agree with 90% of it — we must open up that area a little more. However, there must be improvements in dealing with waste water and sewage from individual houses through bio-systems. I have never seen any indication of how this affects the surrounding soil. How much soil is contaminated and how much must be left pure around the bio-system? Does the system clean the water completely?