Hard-pressed rural homeowners received some cheer after Environment Minister Phil Hogan announced a climbdown in the cost of septic tank inspections — slashing it to 10% of the original figure.
The regime comes in to force in April, and anyone who registers in the first three months will have to pay just €5 instead of the €50 previously announced.
Mr Hogan also reassured rural homeowners that the new septic tank regulations would result in costs of just €100 every two years for upgrade and maintenance work — despite opposition claims that people could have to fork out up to €17,000.
Criticising opposition TDs for what he described as their "embarrassing" resistance to the planned inspection regime, the minister said the costs incurred by septic tank owners would be "a far cry from the misinformation and scaremongering about people paying up to €17,000".
Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and some Fine Gael backbenchers had called for a system of financial assistance for homeowners who cannot afford septic tank upgrades required to meet EU-imposed standards.
Mr Hogan said there "may not be any need for financial assistance" because the costs associated with upgrades will be so low.
Fianna Fáil said the minister was trying to "soften the blow" while failing to address the real concern of septic tank owners.
"The registration fee was never the main problem," said the party’s environment spokesman, Niall Collins.
"The cost of registration is a drop in the ocean for septic tank owners compared to the potential cost of replacing or upgrading tanks that fail inspection."
The Limerick TD said Mr Hogan handled the issue appallingly. "He has failed to answer the most fundamental questions about what this legislation will mean for septic tank owners, by refusing to confirm what inspection standards will apply.
"This will determine how many tanks are likely to fail inspection and what the resulting costs will be."
Mr Hogan said the standards will be published in the next two weeks, with a four-week consultation period for interested parties to give their views. He said the standards would not impose huge cost burdens on septic tank owners. The majority of problems would be addressed with a single desludging, which costs between €50 and €100.
He said the figures being mentioned by the opposition were based on a 2009 code of practice drawn up by the Environmental Protection Agency but the standards he will announce would not be as strict.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner before addressing a public meeting on the issue in Tipperary, Mr Hogan said there had not been any pressure from Fine Gael backbench TDs on the issue.
"I am not surprised that people are very frightened about the possible costs because of the scaremongering by some public representatives."
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, February 07, 2012
