Hogan slashes septic tank bill to €5

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.