Registration fee for Septic tanks reduced to €5 for first three months – Humphreys

Local Fine Gael TD Heather Humphreys has welcomed confirmation by the Minister for the Environment that the registration fee for Septic tanks will be reduced for the first three months to €5 instead of the proposed €50.

Deputy Humphreys said that she welcomed the fact that the Minister had clearly outlined the practical approach that will be taken in relation to the inspection of septic tanks and she said this ‘clearly demonstrated that inspections would be carried out on a risk based approach”.

“I appreciate that the issue of Septic tanks has been a cause of some concern to many people, particularly in rural areas. I am therefore pleased with the announcement by Minister Phil Hogan this evening (Monday) that if people register their Septic tank before the 30th June then they will be able to avail of a reduced registration fee of just €5. I would encourage people in the Cavan-Monaghan area to register early in order to avail of this lower rate.

“At this stage, I think everybody is aware that the Government has no option but to enact this legislation. This legislation has been drafted in order to address a ruling issued by the European Court of Justice in 2009 against Ireland.

“The matter should have been dealt with in 2009 but was put on the long finger by the Fianna Fail led administration at the time. It is for this reason that I think it is a bit rich for former Minister and current Deputy Eamon O’Cuiv to be running around the country putting the fear of God into people with regard to septic tanks. The bottom line is that if Deputy O’Cuiv and his colleagues in government had acted in relation to this issue then we would not be in the position we are in today whereby if this legislation is not enacted we will be subject to a lump sum fine of €2.7million plus daily fines of approximately €26,000 and that is something which the country simply cannot afford.

“Minister Phil Hogan has now clearly outlined the practical approach that will be taken in relation to the inspections. These requirements are very straightforward and include simple aspects such as to ensure that pipes and vents of a system are not blocked, that manhole covers are working and sealed were appropriate, ensuring that roof water or surface water run-off is not allowed enter the system and also that recommendations with regard to how often a system should be emptied are followed.

“I would like to again reiterate the point that inspections will not commence until 2013 and will be carried out on a risk based system. This means that unless there is evidence of endangerment of human health or the environment then the system will pass. Regardless of how old your septic tank is, if it is not causing a problem then it will pass.

“It is a fundamental requirement of any modern society to have a clean water supply. The opposition have continued to promote fear in relation to this matter and I am satisfied that Minister Hogan has now clearly set out the regulations for septic tank inspections and I think most people will agree that it is far from the doomsday scenario that Deputy Eamon O’Cuiv amongst others would lead us to believe,” concluded Deputy Humphreys.

Local Fine Gael TD Heather Humphreys has welcomed confirmation by the Minister for the Environment that the registration fee for Septic tanks will be reduced for the first three months to €5 instead of the proposed €50.

Deputy Humphreys said that she welcomed the fact that the Minister had clearly outlined the practical approach that will be taken in relation to the inspection of septic tanks and she said this ‘clearly demonstrated that inspections would be carried out on a risk based approach”.

“I appreciate that the issue of Septic tanks has been a cause of some concern to many people, particularly in rural areas. I am therefore pleased with the announcement by Minister Phil Hogan this evening (Monday) that if people register their Septic tank before the 30th June then they will be able to avail of a reduced registration fee of just €5. I would encourage people in the Cavan-Monaghan area to register early in order to avail of this lower rate.

“At this stage, I think everybody is aware that the Government has no option but to enact this legislation. This legislation has been drafted in order to address a ruling issued by the European Court of Justice in 2009 against Ireland.

“The matter should have been dealt with in 2009 but was put on the long finger by the Fianna Fail led administration at the time. It is for this reason that I think it is a bit rich for former Minister and current Deputy Eamon O’Cuiv to be running around the country putting the fear of God into people with regard to septic tanks. The bottom line is that if Deputy O’Cuiv and his colleagues in government had acted in relation to this issue then we would not be in the position we are in today whereby if this legislation is not enacted we will be subject to a lump sum fine of €2.7million plus daily fines of approximately €26,000 and that is something which the country simply cannot afford.

“Minister Phil Hogan has now clearly outlined the practical approach that will be taken in relation to the inspections. These requirements are very straightforward and include simple aspects such as to ensure that pipes and vents of a system are not blocked, that manhole covers are working and sealed were appropriate, ensuring that roof water or surface water run-off is not allowed enter the system and also that recommendations with regard to how often a system should be emptied are followed.

“I would like to again reiterate the point that inspections will not commence until 2013 and will be carried out on a risk based system. This means that unless there is evidence of endangerment of human health or the environment then the system will pass. Regardless of how old your septic tank is, if it is not causing a problem then it will pass.

“It is a fundamental requirement of any modern society to have a clean water supply. The opposition have continued to promote fear in relation to this matter and I am satisfied that Minister Hogan has now clearly set out the regulations for septic tank inspections and I think most people will agree that it is far from the doomsday scenario that Deputy Eamon O’Cuiv amongst others would lead us to believe,” concluded Deputy Humphreys.