Opposition to septic tank inspections

MANDATORY INSPECTIONS of septic tanks will be “bigger than the rod licence issue” in rural Ireland, it has been claimed, as a campaign against the measure was launched in Co Roscommon.

Up to half a million rural dwellers will likely be affected by the inspection regime, which Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan has said is necessary to comply with an EU directive.

The Minister says Ireland faces a €40 million fine in 2015 and daily fines thereafter unless mandatory inspections are put in place.

However MEP Marian Harkin, who is spearheading a campaign against the measure which she believes unfairly discriminates against rural dwellers, said the inspection regime would be “a cash cow” for local authorities.

She will hold a public meeting on the issue in every county over coming weeks.

County mayor Eugene Murphy said before a meeting last night in Curraghboy, Co Roscommon, that rural people were devastated that yet another charge was coming down the line.

Amid speculation that the inspection fee will be up to €300 a year for each household, Mr Murphy said anyone whose septic tanks needed upgrading would face bills running to several thousand euro.

“This issue is going to be bigger than the rod licence dispute in rural Ireland,” he said.

“Obviously if septic tanks are creating any threat to any water source, this must be dealt with – but this could not come at a worse time.”

Ms Harkin said she accepted the Minister must act in light of a 2009 European court ruling that found Ireland in breach of a 1975 directive.