Mr. Percy Foster:

Denmark is very well advanced in this regard and is a model for Ireland to look at. In Denmark one collector is contracted by the local authority to collect septic tank sludge in a region. It has this mobile technology. Contracting one collector in a region gives economies of scale and security to the private company to invest in the technology. It also ensures the lowest possible cost for the householder. An open market with numerous collectors operating in an area might lead to a diminished quality of service. Ireland should examine the Danish market for possible use here.

The Deputy asked about our concerns over not having records of sludge for wastewater treatment plants servicing fewer than 5,000 people. That arises from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland report. It expressed concern that because there is no traceability of what happens to the sludge in plants servicing fewer than 5,000 people there is a breakdown in traceability and thus it has a concern that this emission creates a food safety concern. That is outlined in the 2008 Food Safety Authority of Ireland report.