Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

In case Senator Cullinane is worried about what would happen five years afterwards, there will be no re-inspection charge. There will be no €300 annual inspection charge like the one some were going around speaking about when this Bill was first mooted in June. I am sure the misinformation and fear generated about something that was not going to happen is what motivated many to write to Senator Ó Murchú. I can understand that and Senator Ó Murchú is correct to reflect it. The manner in which, this evening, we have clarified many issues on planning and the risk-based assessment that we will introduce, for example, the planning exemption will mean that people will not have to go to the expense of applying for planning permission for upgrades, will allay the reasonable concerns of those who want to have their fears allayed. All that is required here is to comply with the European Court of Justice judgment of 2009, which I inherited and about which my predecessors did not do anything, in order to ensure that there is an inspection and monitoring system so that the State will not have to pay €26,000 a day in fines to the European Community, which working people would not want us to do either.

Grants are something that can be considered when we know the extent of the problem. We do not know the extent of the problem until inspections are carried out and that will be in 2013. For those on low incomes or for the less well-off in the community, if they have a serious problem, I will not be found wanting in looking at the grants issue in 2014. I cannot do that until I know the extent of the problem or the people who are affected, as I have said all along.