Tom Shehan (Fine Gael)

I would like to add to the debate on the proposal that a charge be imposed for having one's septic tank inspected. I would like the Leader to ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to bring it to the attention of the officials in the environmental division of his Department that the real problem in this regard is pollution by phosphates. Given that we have unleaded fuel, low-tar cigarettes, fat-free foods, yeast-free bread and sugar-free foods, perhaps the Department might examine whether it is possible to remove phosphates from detergents and dishwasher tablets, etc. If pollutants such as phosphates could be removed from detergents, etc., I would like to see some movement on that side.