Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister and his officials for bringing the Bill to the House initially and for taking so many important amendments on board. We must recognise the outstanding work which has been done to ensure quality water supplies by local authority caretakers in our counties.

Senator Ryan made a point earlier about the proliferation of septic tanks. The onus must be on local authorities to provide enforcement officers in this area. People who apply for planning permission must carry out percolation tests and observe planning requirements for PureFlow systems or similar. However, what has been put in place is never checked, which is a failure which may come back to haunt us yet. It would be money well spent to provide for enforcement officers to ensure this most important aspect of planning is observed. We can fall out over the type and placing of windows in a rural house, but what is underground is crucial and should be checked after planning is granted.