Over 30% boycott septic tank register

Almost one-in-three septic tank owners have boycotted the Government’s controversial registration scheme.

As the deadline passed, just under 70% of those eligible had paid fees demanded by Environment Minister Phil Hogan.

Government figures show that 328,206 households met the deadline to pay the €50 registration fee, with another 10,000 yet to be processed.

That amounts to 68% of those the Government intended to comply with the new law.

Those households that have boycotted the charge face fines of up to €5,000 and will be ineligible for grants to help pay for any upgrading work, the environment department warned.

As an inducement to registration, Mr Hogan launched a grant scheme of up to 80% of repair costs for those earning up to €50,000, to a maximum of €4,000, and a 50% for those on an income of up to €75,000, up to a maximum of €2,500.

Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris said the registration date should have been extended to Mar 31.