Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the details of the European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland in respect of ground water with particular reference to septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11696/11]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide some background information regarding the [i]raison d'être [/i] for the Water Services Bill, the EU Court Rulings on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11706/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 354 together.

In October 2009, the European Court of Justice ruled that Ireland failed to adopt the necessary legislation to comply with Articles 4 and 8 of Council Directive 75/442/EEC, known as the Waste Directive, regarding domestic waste waters disposed of in the countryside through septic tanks and other individual waste water treatment systems.

The Court has found that Irish legislation does not adequately provide for domestic waste water from septic tanks to be recovered or disposed of without endangering human health and without using processes which could harm the environment. It has also found that Irish legislation fails to provide for the prohibition of the uncontrolled disposal of such waste waters, a requirement of the Waste Directive, and does not adequately ensure that holders of such waste waters manage, recover or dispose of the waste waters in accordance with the provisions of the Directive.

The Government recently approved the urgent drafting of a Bill to provide for the establishment of a new system for the inspection and monitoring of the performance of all septic tanks and other on-site waste water treatment systems. The Bill will also include a requirement that treatment systems be maintained and de-sludged in accordance with manufacturers' instructions. The Bill will be published as soon as possible and my intention will be to pursue its early enactment.