Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

No, I have not heard anything about it. It is certainly not my intention to do that. Water charges by metering will be introduced in due course, as a separate charge from the household charge, as the Deputy knows. We always stated that would be the case.

The registration charge is a nominal amount. Some septic tanks date back pre-1963. We must ensure we catch everybody in the sense of what we know exists in the form of a septic tank. We believe there are 475,000 in total. There will not be an annual charge of €300 per annum, as was advocated by the IFA and others. I understand the IFA stated it would cost €150 million to remediate some of the problems with septic tanks. If that is the case we have a very serious problem but I do not envisage any such expenditure being required to upgrade septic tanks for the purpose of improving our ground water. It is a risk-based model and I believe people will be satisfied with the monitoring and inspection that will be carried out.

I cannot consider a grant scheme, perhaps until 2014, because inspections will not take place until 2013. That will give us an idea of the extent of the problem. If help is needed for low-income families it can be considered at that stage.

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