The deadline for the registration of septic tanks must be extended beyond Friday February 1 as the public is still not clear what inspection standards will apply.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson and Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuív who added that a clause in the “limited and unsatisfactory grant scheme” means “only those registered by” February 1 will be eligible for one.
Fianna Fáil is calling on the Government to extend the scheme until April.
Dep Ó Cuív said it was “disgraceful” to penalise people for not being registered “when there are so many unanswered questions” regarding the septic tank charge. He also accused Environment Minister Phil Hogan of “failing to provide clarity over the past two years”.
The Connemara TD said many members of the public are “still confused about what this legislation means for them”.
He said the Government has “rammed through this legislation without informing the public of its implications or the new standards that must be met”.
“It is completely unfair of the Minister to force the hand of septic tank owners in this way while so much confusion remains about the legislation and the inspection standards in particular,” he said.
In the meantime Dep Ó Cuív is encouraging householders to register to ensure eligibility for the new grant.
