Department of Environment Must Develop Septic Tank Plan – IFA

Speaking at the EPA Conference in Galway IFA National Environment + Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Pat Farrell has called on Environment Minister Phil Hogan to immediately bring forward a plan to ensure the 475,000 families who have septic tank discharge systems are compliant with EU law, and Ireland avoids lump-sum and daily fines.

“In recent months IFA have made significant proposals to Minister Hogan which include the use of integrated constructed wetlands and the development of a retrofit scheme. It is now important that these proposals are acted on immediately and best use is made of mapping technology to ensure an army of inspectors are not launched into the countryside.”

The Association has also rejected the draconian measures as outlined in an EPA Code of Practice, which would result in houses not being permitted to be built on vast areas of counties in the west of Ireland.

“An acceptable specification for a septic tank system must be introduced which will allow families to live and work in their local communities, particularly in counties Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo and Kerry.”