Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 7, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following:

"(c) that if it can be shown by reference to the owner of the domestic waste water treatment system's income, that they do not have the means to pay the fine, in the opinion of the inspector, that the fee be waived;".

The amendment is related to the point I have just made. There was a lot of debate last week, but a fair amount of it was fruitful, as we got to tease out many points. We noticed in the debate that there was no waiver system or inability to pay clause in the Bill. We considered that it was important that it be put in place because of the dire straits people were in financially and the extra expenses that had to be taken into account such as the universal social charge, the household charge, water and refuse charge. Many of the common people will be forced to pay these charges.

Many Government Senators have said €50 is not a lot of money. I have been talking to people over the weekend who are very concerned about it. I was contacted by people who were concerned that the mooted cuts to child benefit and other benefits would, if made, seriously affect them. The cut may not seem significant to those on a better income, but it is a serious consideration for those on very low incomes who are very worried about the extra cost, even if it is only €50.

It is feared the €50 charge could increase to €200 and that re-registration fees could be introduced under regulations. We have, therefore, tabled what we believe is another practical amendment that would allow for a waiver if one could actually show that, as the owner of a system, one did not have the means to pay the money involved. I urge the Minister to take it on board.