The sheer frustration and anger of owners of single house sewerage systems at the Government proposal to institute a compulsory septic tank inspection programme was reflected in the large attendance at the meeting organised by Marian Harkin MEP in Claremorris.
At the meeting Ms Harkin said that the depth of feeling expressed indicated a total lack of acceptance at what was regarded as a discriminatory and unfair imposition on a sector of the community. “I have over the years raised the issue of the multi million euro investment of EU and national funds in sewerage infrastructure in Ireland and pointed out that a proportionate share of those funds needed to be dedicated to single house sewerage systems,” she said. “Unfortunately this has not happened and no public monies have ever been invested in upgrading septic tanks.
“Any proposal to have septic tanks compulsorily inspected at a cost to owners is unfair and unjust because it selectively imposes charges on the owners of single houses. For all other homeowners these services are paid for from central funding. Rural people pay their taxes just the same as those who live in towns, villages, and cities and should therefore be entitled to the same services.
“In Northern Ireland inspection costs are borne by the Department of Environment and inspections only happen when a house is being sold, or when there is an obvious problem. Furthermore it is worth noting that by far the greatest pollution threat to groundwater and surface waters in Ireland comes from inadequate or nonexistent urban waste water systems and this, of course, is the responsibility of the local authorities. It would be unjust in the extreme to impose registration, inspection, or upgrading charges on individuals when the local authorities are themselves, by far, the worst offenders,” said Ms Harkin.
The MEP added that the River Basin Area programmes agreed for all parts of Ireland have indicated the good status of Ireland’s ground waters which compare very favourably with those of other EU countries. Indeed the director of the EPA said earlier this year: “In comparison to other EU member states, Ireland has better than average water quality”.
Ms Harkin continued: “I will be assembling the views of those attending the 12 meetings I have organised throughout the north and west with a view to developing a strategy which will include seeking representation on the committee established by the Government to advise an upcoming legislation on this matter.
“This will be essential in order to ensure that no excessive and unnecessary measures are included and that the principle of parity with urban dwellers is observed. Selective and unfair charges such as that planned by the Government for single house owners will be strongly opposed if the views expressed in Claremorris is reflected at other meetings organised for the 11 counties of the north and west constituency,” Ms Harkin concluded.
