Fianna Fáil Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill has challenged Donegal North East Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh to a public debate on the Government’s Septic Tank Bill.
Senator Ó Domhnaill, Fianna Fáil’s Seanad Spokesperson on Agriculture, was reacting to claims from Deputy McHugh that “untrue” information has been put into the public domain about the impact of this legislation on septic tank owners.
Now the Gortahork Senator even told the Fine Gael Deputy that he could name the time and place for the septic tank showdown!
“There is certainly nothing untrue about the fact that Minister Phil Hogan’s Septic Tank Bill will result in multiple charges for thousands of septic tank owners,” said Senator Ó Domhnaill.
“Deputy McHugh is right in saying that there is a lot of fear among homeowners about how much they will have to pay for registering and upgrading their septic tank.
“However, Deputy McHugh has made a number of misleading claims about what is contained in the Septic Tank Bill.
“There is nothing in this legislation that says septic tank inspections will only be carried out near waterways and that only one-in-ten tanks will be inspected.
“Deputy McHugh has also claimed that the inspections will be carried out directly by local authorities – another measure that is not included in the legislation.
“It is important that we bring some clarity to this important issue. As Deputy McHugh and I disagree about how septic tank owners will be affected by his Government’s Bill, I would like to invite him to a public debate before Christmas so we can clear this up once and for all and address people’s concerns. Deputy McHugh can name the date and venue and I will be there,” he said.
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