Up to 1,000 protesters plan rally over septic tank proposals

By Áilín Quinlan and Claire O’Sullivan

Friday, January 27, 2012

Up to 1,000 protesters will converge on Cork City next week as part of the bitter public opposition to the Government’s proposals to regulate septic tanks.

Groups opposed to the proposed Water Services (Amendment) Bill — which provides for a new inspection regime for septic tanks and a €50 charge for householders — will march from Daunt Square to Cork County Hall next Friday.

A march in Dublin is also being planned, according to Paul Walsh, chairman of the Knockavilla Anti-Septic Tank Charges Group. More than 300 people from across Cork attended the group’s public meeting in Bandon last Wednesday.

"This is a punishment tax," said Mr Walsh, who added that it was being imposed on rural dwellers only and would create an urban /rural divide.

"If you live in an urban area and your sewage system had to be upgraded it would be covered by the taxpayer," he said, adding €21 million and €12m respectively were spent on the recent upgrades of the sewage systems in Kinsale and Skibbereen.

It was feared that fault-finding by tank inspectors would be widespread. He said: "If you are paid to find something wrong you will find it."

The Knockavilla group had already formed strong links with other anti-septic tank charges groups in Skibbereen, Ballinspittle and Farran, he said, and it was expected that up to 1,000 people from all over Co Cork would march next Friday.

Meanwhile, the Cork Environmental Forum (CEF) will hold an information meeting on the septic tank legislation at the Oriel House in Ballincollig.

Septic tank expert, Tim Clifford, CEF chairman, Michael Hobbs, David Best of Kingspan, Kevin Murray of Engineers Ireland and Michael Madden, a consulting engineer, will speak at the event on February 10.

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Friday, January 27, 2012