Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

That is sensible. If a person has an issue with the inspection of a property - most people guard their houses as if they were guarding their castle - the person may be accompanied by a member of the Garda Síochána, as specified in the warrant. The section is being amended to allow an authorised person to be accompanied by an inspector appointed by the EPA for the purposes of the Bill. A situation could arise where a person for good reasons or, through ignorance of the law, does not co-operate with an inspection and, if I understand this correctly, a member of the Garda Síochána, along with the inspector accompanied by an inspector appointed by the EPA, may arrive and force their way onto the premises and carry out an inspection against the will of the owner. If that does not work out properly, the owner of the property may end up in court. I am deeply concerned as to how this section will apply in practice.

I also believe that every septic tank will be inspected. I concur with Senator Ó Domhnaill's statement that there should be somebody from within the local authority to ensure that there is accountability at local level. I heard the Minister state recently that he has great respect for local councils when rumours were circulating that they might be abolished. Local authorities must have control over these inspectors. They should also have responsibility so that if an issue arises, the local representative can, through the local authority or the local director of services or management, make a case to defend the issue.

I have a number of concerns and some of them cut across other sections, so I will make more points later on. I hope that the Minister recognises that these concerns are made in good faith.