Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Every domestic sewage system should be tertiary. There is no reason people cannot have two septic tanks beside each other. A single septic tank does not treat the water — it simply goes straight through. The water should go through one septic tank divided into two, another septic tank divided into two and a filter area before being released. This would help prevent any pollution from domestic water.

In terms of the various developments around the country, does the strategic planning, which is part of the process, tie into general planning? We are all in favour of strategic planning. Last week I spoke to a Minister who had come from Perth, where she had been looking at the development of a new area north of the city. It was decided a few years ago to extend the city and the area was being prepared. When she went to view the proposed new town, which was hundreds of acres in size, she saw that every one of the roads was already there.

Each road had been completely laid out and hard-topped. All the footpaths, streetlights and pipes have been installed with all the sites sectioned off before they are made available to a builder. The work that is being discussed would be easier with that kind of planning. If we want to reach a halfway between the extraordinary views of An Taisce and the openness of its opponents, one could develop hamlets proactively. If local authorities were told to decide where to have hamlets, organise and pipe them and not have to wait for development to begin, it would allow places for 20 houses.

I know this type of development can affect the price of land. However, it ties in with what the Taoiseach has said about local authorities buying land, preparing it for developers and allowing builders to buy it at ordinary prices. Much could be done by such a scheme and it would take pressure off single house developments. Most people in rural areas would be happy to live in hamlet developments within half a mile of where they would have built a single dwelling. I agree with the general point that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has made on single houses.

Departmental officials have assured me that our water quality is among the best in the European league table of water quality. This is very heartening to hear and was something I did not know before. We should make more out of this.