Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on a letter by a company (details supplied) dated 25 January 2007; if a reply was issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4000/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views and actions he proposes to take in relation to a submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4035/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 314 together.

A reply to the letter dated 25 January 2007 issued from the Office of my predecessor on 22 February 2007. The reply set out the position in regard to wastewater treatment systems under the national Building Regulations.

Part H of the Building Regulations (Drainage and Waste Water Disposal) sets out the requirements for the treatment of effluent from wastewater systems. The relevant Technical Guidance Document H (TGD-H) provides guidance on how to comply with the requirements of Part H and calls up, inter alia, Irish Standard Recommendation SR:6 of 1991 — Recommendations for Domestic Effluent Treatment and Disposal from a Single Dwelling House, issued by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).

TGD-H also acknowledges that wastewater treatment systems other than septic tanks may be used. Such systems are accepted as satisfactory provided it can be shown that they are fit for the use for which they are intended and for the conditions in which they are used. Part D of the Building Regulations (Materials and Workmanship) specifies alternative ways of proving compliance, including compliance with appropriate product standards or being subject to certification by an appropriate national certification body.

The Irish Agreement Board (IAB) is the national and European recognised body for certifying new building products or systems for which national standards do not exist. The IAB is an independent body which operates under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

A new European Standard (EN 12566-3) for small wastewater treatments plants has been introduced and is now in the transitional phase of implementation. The need for new systems to comply with this standard has been brought to the attention of Local Authorities by Departmental Circular Letters BC16/2006 and BC 2/2008, dated 8 November 2006 and 28 January 2008 respectively.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently finalising a revised edition of their Manual on Wastewater Treatment Systems serving Single Houses, in consultation with all interested parties. It is understood that the EPA Manual will refer to relevant European Standards and that the NSAI propose to withdraw SR6: 1991, in favour of the proposed new edition of the EPA Manual, when available. My Department plans to amend TGD-H to call up the EPA Manual and to consider any related issues at that time.