Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

We will want to see that written into the legislation. We will want to make sure, line by line, that environmental impact assessments and any environmental assessments or ecological reports are exempt for any works that have to be carried out. If that is the case I am sure the Minister will have no difficulty in accepting this amendment to the effect that the householder will not be expected to bear any further costs apart from making the application, for which we propose there will be no registration fee, and that there will be no other additional costs hidden in this section.

Section 4(3) states:

An application under this section shall---

(a) be made in writing or by electronic means, [we have no difficulty with that because if it was only by electronic means it would make it very difficult for people who may not have access to a computer]

(b) specify the name of the applicant and the address at which he or she normally resides, [we have no difficulty with that]

(c) specify the address at which the domestic waste water treatment system is situated, [we have no difficulty with that]

(d) contain such other information as may be prescribed, [we have major difficulty with that because that is as long as it is wide] and

(e) in the case of the application under subsection (2), be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

We have tabled another amendment on that because we are not in agreement with it. The information must be specified before this Bill can be passed, regardless of any other relevant information the householder would be required to send to the local authority.

The Minister might clarify when he intends to introduce a Government amendment to the effect that there will be no planning charges, no environmental impact assessment charges and no SPA, NHA or SAC implications in terms of any septic tank located in or near an SPA or a wetlands area. If that is the case questions may arise in terms of the classification of those areas, and I am sure we will have people such as those in An Taisce jumping up and down. The alternative that we would accept is that if there is a requirement to have those reports the Department would pay for them. However, we favour no charges or cost in this area to the householder or the consumer.