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Rural Inishowen opposes septic
fees
20.09.11
RURAL dwellers in
Inishowen crammed into a public meeting in
Carndonagh last night to oppose the introduction of
septic tank registration fees.
The meeting was one of a number of meetings planned
by Sinn Féin in Donegal. Another will take place in
Milford this Friday.
Cllr Jack Murray said the meeting was to inform the
people of Inishowen of the Government’s planned
legislation on septic tank charges.
"We also explained the European Court ruling which
the Government blames for their chargesl, and
outlined how this matter is being dealt with in
other parts of Europe.
“Crucially, we want to build enough people power to
influence policy decisions by the Minister for
Environment before the legislation is presented to
Dáil.” |
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Some 120 people attended a Sinn Féin
public meeting in Carn to oppose septic tank fees
for rural dwellers. |
The main speaker,
Deputy Pádraig MacLochlainn was "encouraged" by the
large turnout.
“While we welcome the recent announcement by
Minister Phil Hogan that the €300 charge mooted in
the media will not go ahead, we are concerned that
the Minister has yet to clarify why there will be a
charge for registering septic tank ownership when
this does not apply in other EU areas.
“He is also trying to hide from the issue of the
cost of works needed on septic tanks which could
arise from inspections – works which would
discriminate against rural owners of septic tanks
whose urban fellow citizens face no charge for
maintaining their sewerage services.
“Fairness and equality must be central to government
policy and this requires equal support for those
living in rural and urban areas," he added.
“The people of Inishowen cannot take any more taxes
and cuts. They are ready to fight back. This meeting
was just the start of things to come.” |
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