Taoiseach slams 'hysterical comments' on septic-tanks issue
The Taoiseach has accused opposition politicians of engaging in "hysterical comment and sensational headlines" over the cost of rectifying septic tanks.
Enda Kenny said the proposals from Government were "sensible" and ensured that we would be in compliance with European directives.
He also said the registration charge of €5 for the first three months was "less than the price of a pint in many areas".
During rowdy scenes in the Dáil, the Taoiseach insisted most people did not object to the charge.
"You're not going to have people spluttering into their pints and saying: 'God, I shouldn’t have bought this (pint), I should have registered the septic tank instead'.
"It's very reasonable. People around the countryside know that they want to contribute to having clean, safe water and this will be done at a very normal cost."
In response to heckling, he said: "If (the septic tank isn’t) working, the owner of that septic tank will have to de-sludge it. That means getting it pumped out and treated properly."
