Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I thank the Acting Chairman. I can see that he was trying hard. Senator Ó Domhnaill should note that I dislike hypocrisy and if he wishes to be valid in respect of the arguments he makes he should examine the precedent he and his party created under the legislation I have outlined. The Senators have nothing to worry about now since they have voted through similar legislation in the past.

The reason for the rush with this legislation is that the Government was brought back to the Court of Justice of the European Union last July and is being charged €26,000 per day for non-compliance with a court judgment relating to contamination of ground-water by septic tanks. Ireland was originally brought to court in 2009 when this judgment was issued and the previous Government did nothing about it. This is why we are subject to a €2.7 million lump sum fine and this is why €26,000 per day since July is overhanging the Government decision to ensure we introduce this legislation. This is the reason we must rush it. We are saving the taxpayer money and we are protecting ground-water, public health, the environment and job opportunities. The regular registration of inspectors will cost up to €1,000. Inspections are a matter for the local authorities.

I expect that 95% of the staff dealing with this will be local authority people and this is the way I want it. However, an employment moratorium is in place at the moment which was brought in by my predecessors in Government and compounded by this Government and we must deal with this situation. We are in an EU-IMF programme. If they wish to introduce other inspectors, local authorities have the opportunity to do so. This option will be in place and such people will be able to register for up to €1,000. I assure Senators there is a considerable level of interest from people wishing to become inspectors on the panel and who wish to get involved. However, unfortunately, we will not be able to get them involved because local authorities will be doing most of the work. I realise Senator Ó Clochartaigh referred to a meeting in Ros a' Mhíl at which Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív referred to the 2008 regulations.