The renewed Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a scheme for the licensing and inspection of septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems. In October 2009, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) found that Ireland has failed to enact adequate legislation to deal with domestic wastewater from septic tanks and other on-site wastewater treatment systems.
My Department is chairing a task force to consider how the inspection of septic tanks should be carried out and I intend undertaking consultations with stakeholders on the matter. In order to comply with the ECJ ruling, legislation will be required to give effect to the new inspection system. At this stage, while compliance with the ruling is a priority, it is too early to indicate when the new arrangements will be operational.