Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 January 2013
177. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria that will apply to contractors to carry out remedial works on septic tanks to avail of grant aid; if it is envisaged that a registration process for contractors will be established; if any particular qualifications and skills will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3284/13]
View answer179. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the advice he will give to a person living in a house that was built around 50 years ago in a rural area on a very small site that is too small for a septic tank and is surrounded on four sides by roads, neighbouring houses and has hitherto had a sewerage disposal system consisting of a drain going under the road into another drain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3288/13]
View answer181. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason he has failed to fulfil the commitments made to the European Court in the judgement of 19 December 2012, C-374/11, specifically those referred to in paragraphs 34 and 41 of that judgement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3381/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 177, 179 and 181 together.
In relation to the criteria that will apply for the grant scheme for remediation of septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems, and in relation to the position regarding the European Court of Justice ruling of 19 December, I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 438, 448 and 449 of 22 January 2013.
Where a domestic waste water treatment system is found to be a risk to human health or the environment and remediation works are required, the selection of a contractor to carry out the works required will be a matter for the householder concerned. Due the wide variety of remediation works which could arise, and the number of trades and professions which could be involved, I have no plans to establish a registration system for contractors involved in remediation works.
I have stated on numerous occasions that where remediation works arise as a result of an inspection under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012, those works will be the most appropriate and cost-effective, based on the nature of the problem, the site size and the extent of the risk to human health or the environment. There is no question of any person being required to acquire additional land. However, homeowners should be aware that section 3 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 provides that a person must not cause or permit any polluting matter to enter waters. Consequently, it is an offence to pipe untreated domestic wastewater directly into a drain or ditch.
