Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I compliment what my colleagues, Senators O'Loughlin and Cummins, said on septic tanks. Senator Cummins is right in what he said about the registration of septic tanks. In 2013 there was a fear among households about registering their septic tanks. They feared it would lead to a levy down the road and the unknown. I do not think we have communicated the message properly. There needs to be another take at registering. If people are not registered they cannot get a grant. I have not looked at the percentages but I know a very high percentage of people have not registered septic tanks. We need another look at it from this perspective.

I want to raise the issue of policing and the new structures being put in place. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise a Commencement matter this morning. It is important that the Minister comes to the House to have a discussion on policing. Under the current proposals, certain parts of the country will have a three-county model and this will lead to a downgrading of the policing services in those counties. I know there is a review of counties in the west and midlands, including Roscommon, Longford and Mayo. We in Donegal, along with Sligo and Leitrim, are in a similar situation. The size of my home county of Donegal is very similar to that of Mayo and it has a long coastline. We have very little attachment to the Twenty-six Counties. We have only 4 km of Border attaching us to the South and 100 km of Border with Northern Ireland. This affects policing matters and the moving of drugs and, moreover, the tourist season. The west, which is a large geographical area, is losing the great service we have had over many years and it is of great concern. It would be timely to have the Minister to come to the House to discuss it.