Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I cannot agree with Senator Bannon. We have all dealt with group water schemes in our time. However, I am referring to large schemes. If the final plans are submitted within six months of the completion of the works we will have made tremendous progress. The problems to which Senator Bannon referred do not necessarily emerge for a considerable time, generally some years. I want to ensure that all maps are submitted within six months. There will be no extension of that. As a result of this legislation, which it is hoped will be enacted later this year, there will be an obligation to submit plans within six months, and there will be a record in both electronic and hard copy form. That is important, perhaps not to those who are operating the scheme now, but to those operating it in the future. I suggest I am being very reasonable in stipulating a six-month period. It would be unreasonable and would not lead to good legislation if we curtailed that to six weeks. I accept that Senator Bannon tabled his amendment in good faith. However, I ask him to reflect on the issue. If sound arguments are put forward on Report Stage, I am usually open to persuasion, but I do not envisage accepting this amendment at any stage.