Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to have a chance to speak on this important Bill. I sometimes regret that Deputy Ó Cuív never got an opportunity to serve in government. If he had, all of these problems would be solved. The registration of septic tanks and the spectre of high ongoing charges for inspections have been the subject of much speculation in recent months. I welcome the clarification from the Minister that thousands of householders in Ireland will not face an ongoing cost in the shape of septic tank inspection fees. I am pleased that the minimal one-off charge will be no more than €50. There has been a great deal of scaremongering about this legislation in recent months. It has been suggested that an army of inspectors will descend on the countryside and force rural dwellers out of their homes. That is not what is being proposed. This Bill has been framed to minimise the impact on householders. If a householder complies with this legislation, he or she will have nothing to worry about.

The registration process is being introduced on foot of the ruling by the European Court of Justice against Ireland in October 2009. It is unfortunate that the previous Government did not take the steps that are absolutely necessary to ensure we do not face a lump sum penalty of €2.7 million and daily fines of over €26,000. This necessary Bill is about much more than averting fines or penalties. Essentially, it is about following best practice in terms of protecting groundwater, which is a source of drinking water for 26% of the population. The EPA has identified effluent from on-site waste water treatment systems as one of the main sources of contamination of groundwater in Ireland. More than 30% of the annual average flow of most Irish rivers derives from groundwater. This figure can rise to more than 90% during periods of low flow. The situation in Ireland must be seen in an international context. All septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment units in England and Wales will have to be registered by 1 January 2012. Home owners in Scotland are required to register all of their septic tank or small sewage treatment works at a cost of £104 by post or £77 for online application. Like the regime that will pertain in Ireland, this is a one-off cost with no ongoing fees.

I welcome the efforts of the Minister, Deputy Hogan, to ensure this Bill minimises the impact on householders. While the one-off registration charge of less than €50 will be difficult for thousands of householders to pay, it is preferable to an ongoing yearly charge. The Minister must consider what can be done when septic tanks are found to be non-compliant. The maximum penalty that can be imposed on an individual under this Bill is €5,000. It is important to note that there are no offences in this Bill for which a person can be imprisoned. I urge the Minister to introduce a grant scheme for remediation works that are identified as necessary following inspections. If that is not done, poorer rural householders will find themselves in an impossible position. Such a scheme would result in a steady reduction in the dangers posed by septic tanks. If the inspection regime is front-loaded in areas of high environmental risk, the benefits will be immediate and significant. The completion of a cost-benefit analysis of such a scheme is the first step that needs to be taken. Such an analysis would reveal that the environmental benefits would greatly outweigh the costs involved. The burden of the registration charge is focused solely on rural dwellers and those dwelling on the outskirts of towns and villages. Every possible step should be taken to ensure no further financial burden is placed on such people. Households should be incentivised to take advantage of remedial works, where necessary, in as timely a fashion as possible.

The over-use of phosphate-based cleaning products is a worrying factor in relation to groundwater supplies not just in rural areas, but throughout the country. I ask the Minister to consider the use of phosphate-free or low-phosphate cleaning products in all State buildings. Many county councils have already addressed this issue. Greater education in this area could result in the growth of non-phosphate or low-phosphate cleaning products, which would greatly enhance the groundwater of Ireland and provide a valuable education to people on the viable alternatives to phosphate cleaning products. Perhaps this could be given greater consideration in the context of the green schools programme. I welcome the Minister's efforts to try to keep the charge on householders for the registration of septic tanks as low as possible. I am pleased that an ongoing charge will not be imposed on householders. I urge the Minister to introduce a scheme to deal with the infrastructural work that is identified by the inspectors as necessary. If he fails to do so, he will unfairly penalise poorer rural householders.

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