Mr Hogan said he had been negotiating with the European Commission in 2011 and 2012 to minimise the impact of new septic tank regulations.
That’s from this article in the Irish Times.
Why does this chap want to minimise the impact of his own department’s regulations? Is he not at all interested in water quality?
Angela, would you mind invading please?
Irish waterways history 
They’ll look for a derogation and if they get it, they will keep seeking to get it renewed until eventually, they will submit. Currently Ireland has a derogation from open access to the railway network for domestic services. Varadkar has seen sense and has indicated that the Government will not seek a renewal of the derogation.