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Inishowen against septic charges
25.11.11
by Damian Dowds, Inishowen Independent
A PETITION opposing the introduction of septic tank
charges has been sent from Inishowen this week to
Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan. Around
3,000 local householders signed the petition, which
was brought door to door by local activists like
Seamus Gill, over the past two months.
And he’s not finished yet as he intends to continue
collecting signatures until the Government reverses
its policy.
Opposition to the registration and inspection system
for septic tanks is growing, but the Government was
expected to have the legislation passed in the
Seanad this week. The legislation will set out a
registration and inspection regime, with rural
householders having to pay a €50 registration fee
and a further €200 inspection fee.
Should the septic tank not meet environmental
standards laid down, householders will be forced to
replace the unit, with costs estimated at between
€5,000 and €15,000 depending on the circumstances.
“Everyone I asked was happy to sign it,” Seamus
said. “Most said that they won’t pay the inspection
fee and some said they’d rather go to jail.
“This doesn’t affect people living in cities or
towns, but it’s going to hit people living in rural
areas like Inishowen,” Mr Gill said. |
“There are almost
500,000 septic tanks in the country and they’re all
in danger of being turned down.”
Sinn Féin councillor, Mary Kelly, added:
“Householders are worried about this because they
don’t have the money to replace septic tanks.”
Cllr Kelly and Mr Gill said that the method of
inspection and the standards expected to be met, had
not yet been publicly aired.
“We’re all a bit in the dark on this,” Cllr Kelly
said. “And there’s also the question on whether an
official can come onto someone’s property without
their permission to carry out an inspection.”
Cllr Kelly said that Sinn Féin will be holding a
pre-Budget protest at the Market Square in Buncrana
on Saturday, December 3 at 3pm. |
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Buncrana Town councillor, Mary Kelly,
who is among those opposing proposed septic tank
charges. |
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“That will be a protest
against forthcoming Budget cuts and incoming
charges, including this septic tank charge, and I’d
encourage people to come out to show their
opposition to this attack on rural communities.” |
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