Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I suppose we have a good deal of misinformation about this legislation, starting with a €300 annual inspection charge. It is a while ago since we heard that but it was dropped. Now we have the Cavan Fianna Fáil €200 inspection charge, arising from an amendment tabled by the Fianna Fáil Party, whereas I am seeking no more than €50 for a registration charge. At least we have clarity on that issue.

The purpose of the guidelines to be drawn up is to ensure the septic tank is working, minimum standards, and no danger to public health, the environment or ground water quality. There are no guidlines in place that meet those requirements. If I were to adhere to existing guidelines I would make the requirements too onerous, unlike Senator Ó Domhnaill who wants to make the requirements more onerous. The 1996 EPA guidelines provided for a €200 inspection charge but I do not want to do that, hence I opposed that amendment. We are interested only in meeting the basic requirements of the ECJ judgement in having an inspection and monitoring system in place that meets that judgment of good practice in regard to public health and the environment. That argument will not suit everybody especially those who go around in the Senator's constitutency and others talking about regulatioins that do not exist. They speak about introducing measures that I have no intention of introducing but I cannot stop those people. If people want to perpetuate this type of nonsense I cannot stop them.

I cannot stipulate a fee in the Bill - no Government does that. The fee will be no more than €50 for registration purposes. There is a standard catchall phase included in legislation for the same purpose. I am doing no more or no less than what is standard practice in law. I have no other particular proposal in mind. The planning regulations to implement that will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and one has 21 days, as part of a statutory instrument, in which to deal with them. The planning regulations, about which Senator Mooney is concerned, will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

I do not consider the amendment before the House to be appropriate. The details to be requested, when registering, are under consideration by the Department and the EPA. The registration will be kept as simple and as straightforward as possible. I agree with Senator Mooney that there is a temptation to seek more information than that relating to septic tanks or households when sending notices to the door or filling in a form. I will look at that form before it is disseminated to households.