Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

In October 2009, the European Court of Justice ruled that Irish legislation does not adequately provide for domestic waste water from septic tanks to be recovered or disposed of without endangering human health and without using processes which could harm the environment. Accordingly, the ECJ found that our legislation is, therefore, not compliant with the waste directive. I expect to bring a new Bill to establish a system of registration and risk-based inspection of septic tanks and other on-site systems to Government shortly seeking approval for its publication. Full details of how the new system will operate will be announced at that time.

The remedial action required on foot of an inspection of a septic tank under the new system will, in many cases, only involve householders having to empty or de-sludge their tanks more frequently. In other cases, householders may be required to upgrade or replace their septic tanks.

The question of introducing a grants scheme for any purpose must be very carefully considered in light of the current very significant budgetary constraints. My Department will keep under review options to provide financial support to householders, whose systems are deemed, following inspection, to require substantial remediation or upgrading. Any such support would have to take account of the overall budgetary situation and of the financial position of individual households.

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