Rural populations in counties like Galway may be left with no choice but to resort to “peaceful civil disobedience” if the Government imposes septic tank charges only to rural people. And Fianna Fáil deputy leader and Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuív says he will “stand in solidarity” with rural Ireland on the issue.
Others have gone further, saying they would be prepared to go to prison rather than pay, such as Ros a’Mhíl resident Pádraic Tailliura Ó Conghaola, one of the leading campaigners in County Galway against the impending septic tank charges.
The introduction of charges has arisen as Ireland is under pressure to comply with a European Court of Justice ruling to bring in measures to improve ground water quality.
However Dep Ó Cuív points out that official documentation of water in the Connemara area shows quality levels are ranked between ‘good’ and ‘very good’. “Ground water pollution is not occurring here,” he said.
Mr Ó Conghaola pointed out that the greatest pollution is coming from An Spidéal and An Cheathrú Rua where the mains are not connected to a sewerage system but are pumped straight into Galway Bay.
According to the Department of the Environment there will be a €100 registration fee due in 2012 and a fee must be paid for every few years after that. However rural Galwegians argue that it is an unfair extra tax, especially when the annual €100 household charge and water charges are also on the way.
“People with septic tanks already bear the construction and maintenance costs themselves so it is not fair to expect them to bear further costs when those who have water provided by the State do not have to pay,” said Dep Ó Cuív.
Both Mr Ó Conghaola and Dep Ó Cuív fear the State will also demand that septic tank owners upgrade their systems, even if the majority of tanks are working well and not causing pollution.
“By the time the registration is carried out, an Environmental Impact Statement is done, planning permission is sought, and the new tank installed, that could cost €10,000,” said Dep Ó Cuív.
Mr Ó Conghaola said the combined effect of all these charges will push people “over the edge” into a situation where they cannot afford to pay.
“We don’t have that money and nor does anyone else,” he says. “Unemployment, austerity, and the recession are affecting Connemara too. We will not accept these charges and we will go to gaol before we will pay them.”
Mr Ó Conghaola has held meetings on the issue in Ros a’Mhíl, Clifden, the Aran Islands, and Cill Chiaráin, all of which have been well attended. The meetings have also produced the same message, that non-compliance with payments is on the cards if the Government attempts to impose the charges.
However both Dep Ó Cuív and Mr Ó Conghaola said compromises are possible, provided that any charges are based on fairness and take into account the hardships ordinary people face due to the recession.
Dep Ó Cuív said that where upgrades of tanks are needed, instead of burdening all costs on the homeowner, septic tank owners should have access to some of the €425 million which is spent annually by the Government on water systems and services throughout the State.
Dep Ó Cuív argues that even 10 per cent of that sum will cover the costs while Mr Ó Conghaola said grants towards upkeep or upgrades should be made available.
“There has to be a regulated system but it must to be fair,” said Dep Ó Cuív. “If the Government impose a charge that is unique to rural communities and there is no access to the €425 million funds, then they would feel and be entitled to resist the inequality of the law through peaceful civil disobedience.”
