Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

On water pollution, the Minister's guidelines are clear and concise in stating that everything should be subject to good planning practice. One would not expect the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to oversee the installation of a septic tank. In most cases of septic tank installation where there is what is known as impervious soil, a hydrological survey will indicate that the soil can take only so much rainfall which will then make its way to the lowest water source, most commonly a stream or a drain. That is a fair point. However, Puraflow treatment is available. One does not have to be a rocket scientist, an environmentalist or an engineer to work out the implications. We also have planning enforcement officers. We have all been members of local authorities. It is up to them to drive that situation.

I am aware of ongoing rows, and that is the word to use. A recent example is the case of a lad farming almost 100 acres who cannot get planning permission.