Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take following the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice which has found Ireland in breach of the directive by failing to license private septic tanks as required by the Waste Framework Directive 1975; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39457/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that Ireland failed to fulfil its obligations under Articles 4 and 8 of the Waste Directive as regards domestic waste waters disposed of in the countryside through septic tanks and other individual waste water treatment systems.

The renewed Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a scheme for the licensing and inspection of septic tanks and other on-site waste water treatment systems. My Department, which has already established a Task Force to consider the matter, will be developing proposals to give effect to this commitment and to respond in full to the ECJ judgement. This will include consultation with the public and other interested parties. My Department will also be engaging with the European Commission on developing our response to the judgement.