National Inspection Plan for Septic Tanks needs to be published – Ó Cuív
Published on: 01 February 2013
Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív has called on the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, to publish the National Inspection Plan for waste water systems and expressed his disappointment that it wasn’t finished before today’s septic tank registration deadline.
Deputy Ó Cuív commented: “The Minister for the Environment Community and Local Government, in a reply to a Parliamentary Question, informed me that the Environmental Protection Agency is developing a national inspection plan for domestic waste water systems.
“According to the Minister, the plan is being drawn up to the highest international standards and in accordance with Recommendations for Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections, which is an EU approved system for the consistent implementation and enforcement for community environmental law in all EU Member States.
“However, this would seem to be at odds with a previous statement by the Minister that the standards, under the new inspection regime for septic tanks, would be minimal. It is very disappointing that this plan was not available ahead of the final date for registration of waste water systems.
“I will continue to press the Minister to make the plan available as soon as possible and extend the date for registration of waste water systems to the end of April, so that it will be published before the final registration date.
“In the meantime, I encourage everybody to register their waste water systems, otherwise, they will not be eligible for the new grant scheme.”