SEANAD:FIANNA FÁIL members claimed that Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan had yielded to pressure over the highly controversial Water Services (Amendment) Bill, which passed second stage by 27 votes to ll.

Responding to Opposition claims about the impact of the Bill, the Minister said he would be introducing a system of planning exemptions for work carried out in accordance with new requirements. He also said consideration would be given to the introduction of a grants scheme following the 2013 inspection period when the extent of remedial work was known.

The debate was marked by acrimony, with some Fianna Fáil members claiming that they had been prevented from contributing.

Following more than two hours of debate, acting chairwoman Jillian van Turnhout (Ind) called on Mr Hogan to reply. When Fianna Fáil members protested that they wanted the debate to continue, Ms van Turnhout said she had not seen any of them indicating that they wished to speak.

Following a brief suspension of the sitting, Cathaoirleach Paddy Burke said he was backing Ms van Turnhout.

The Minister accused Opposition members of being alarmist in claiming that the legislative proposals could cost householders up to €17,000 for remedial works to comply with the legislation.

Mr Hogan stressed the urgency of the Bill, saying that this country could be facing enormous fines if we did not comply with European rules on water quality. “People living in the countryside need have nothing to fear from this legislation.” It would benefit rural dwellers and would improve water quality, he added.

Opposition leader Darragh O’Brien (FF) said the amount of money needed to provide grant assistance for the remedying of septic tanks could be provided by binning the Greater Dublin drainage scheme which would cost between €2.3 and €2.6 billion.

Brian Ó Domnhnaill (FF) said that ultimately the new law would criminalise people with septic tanks. He appreciated that the proposed legislation was being introduced under a threat of the imposition of huge fines by the European Court of Justice, but the reality was that such penalties had never been imposed on this country.

Feargal Quinn (Ind) asked why transition year students were no longer to be afforded a chance to get experience in the seat of parliament. He had been amazed to learn Senators had been told to no longer participate in such an arrangement. He would like to know why.