Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I agree with Senator Mullen that yesterday's debate was an excellent example of how the Seanad can add value but we all recognise that it was the exception rather than the rule. It was a clear example of legislation brought before the House that had not been fully thought out. We are glad to see the reversal of the imposition of a charge on mobile homes, but anybody who was in the House could see that the Minister was making it up as he went along. He could not and did not give a clear answer on granny flats. When he was asked whether barges would be subject to a tax, he made up his response. While we need legislation, rushed legislation is no good to anybody because we will have to revise it later. The Seanad did a great job yesterday but the legislation that came before the House was not ready for the House.

This morning's report by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, shows that over half of the sewage treatment plants in the country do not meet EU standards. Only one county, Longford, meets those standards. This is a case of chronic underinvestment. The plant in Ringsend in Dublin serves twice the capacity it was intended to serve. There is also a problem about the maintenance of these plants. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, said that we need more training and upskilling of workers at these plants but he has the law on his side. He can fine plants up to €500,000. There are health issues at stake. We need to ensure that these plants are maintained and operated at the highest standard possible, and their current state is not acceptable.

I wish finally to make a comparison between two foreign Ministers. Yesterday, Deputy Ring, to whom I am grateful, managed to obtain the information that our Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, took a flight from Belfast to Dublin, despite the presence of the M1 motorway which is very good value for money.