Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

Perhaps the Minister should give consideration to my proposal.

The point I am trying to make is central to the Bill, which relates to the monitoring of domestic wastewater treatment systems. Cavan has had a system in place in this regard since 2004 and the Commission's judgment recognises that fact. Why, then, would Cavan be requested to re-register? The fact that the Minister is including County Cavan would have one believe that this matter does not really relate to wastewater treatment and is more about collecting revenue for the State. That is the point we are trying to make with the amendment. What happens in Cavan is a matter for the county councillors there.

Those who invested money in Cavan County Council to bring septic tanks up to the 1996 criteria will now be asked to start all that work again, possibly to meet higher standards according to the RIAI, as attached with the legislation published by the Minister's Department.

That is the point we are trying to make. We are not being disingenuous. We take exception to that because we are trying to be constructive on behalf of the 475,000 householders throughout the country who will be penalised as a result of this flawed and discriminatory legislation. That is why we raise these issues.