Ó Cuív calls on Hogan to publish the standards for inspection of septic tanks
Written by Eamon Ó Cuív Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Fianna Fáil Deputy Leader Éamon Ó Cuív has called on the Government to allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to appear before the Oireachtas Environment Committee to outline details of the standards that will be applied under Minister Hogan’s Septic Tank Bill.
Deputy Ó Cuív explained: “Septic tank owners across the country are anxiously waiting to hear what standards will apply when their septic tanks are inspected under Minister Hogan’s Bill. This could clarify whether most householders will have to pay thousands of euro for upgrading or replacing their systems. These homeowners need answers, and so far they have been given none.
“Last week Minister Hogan voted against inviting the EPA to address the Oireachtas Environment Committee about the standards that will apply to existing waste water systems under the Bill. In the legislation there is provision for the Minister to lay down standards having sought the advice of the EPA. To clear the matter up once and for all, I believe that the Committee must get clarification from the EPA. If the EPA proposes a standard less than their current standard, it’s important that they clarify that such a lower standard would comply with EU waste water standards, particularly the 2009 Waste Water Directive. This Directive is specially referred to in the regulatory impact analysis of the Minister’s Bill.
“The regulatory impact analysis also clearly states on the first page that there are no national performance standards. If the public are not going to be sold a pig in a poke, the maintenance and performance standards should be published before further consideration of the bill.
“The worry being caused in rural Ireland because of this uncertainty is unacceptable and Minister Hogan can’t continue to ignore it. It is the Minister’s refusal to give basic information to septic tank owners and to deal with their concerns in a forthright manner that is scaring people, not me.
“I invite Minister Hogan to attend any of the public meetings that I will be attending in the next few months to put his point of view. I will happily leave it to the people to decide who is being upfront and open and acting in the public interest in relation to this issue.”
