John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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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. In October 2009, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) found that Ireland failed to make adequate legislation for dealing with domestic wastewater from septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems. In order to comply with the ECJ ruling, legislation will be required to give effect to a new inspection and monitoring system.

My Department is considering how the inspection of septic tanks should be carried out and has been consulting with the EPA and the local authorities. It is also intended to undertake consultations with wider stakeholders on the matter. It is too early at this stage to estimate when the new arrangements will be operational.