Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

The Minister is probably trying to get the green vote in County Kilkenny. It has no Green Deputy. That is probably a good move. Until such time as the standards are published and everyone knows what we are dealing with, we cannot allow a situation in which inspectors are allowed onto property without the owners' written consent or warrants from the District Court.

I fail to understand why the Minister and Fine Gael and Labour Party Deputies did not allow the EPA, the Irish Rural Dwellers Association and other interested stakeholders to make a presentation to the Select Sub-Committee on the Environment, Community and Local Government during the debate. Senators were not allowed to attend. The request to hold a discussion with the stakeholders was voted down by Government Deputies. What is the Government trying to hide?