29/10/09

CORK EAST Labour TD Seán Sherlock has warned that a ruling by the European Court of Justice against Ireland on the licensing of septic tanks will have real consequences for homes and businesses across Cork.

The European Commission had taken action against Ireland for failing to implement the licensing of private septic tanks as required by a 1975 Waste Framework Directive. This week the European Court of Justice found against Ireland's argument that the country was fully compliant as the directive did not cover septic tanks.

 

 

Deputy Sherlock said that the ruling could pave the way for a programme that will require the upgrading of septic tanks to bring them inline with the European directive.

 

 

"In real terms what this ruling means is that over 400,000 septic tanks across the country will come under scrutiny. Local authorities will have the responsibility of making sure the findings of this ruling are rolled out. Now is the time for Cork County Council to prepare for this task ahead.

 

 

"This is another example of the Government failing to comply with environmental standards. It is made all the worse by the fact that it was the Green Party's leader Minister John Gormley who tried to argue that Ireland was environmentally compliant on a manner of a technicality when all the evidence said otherwise.

 

 

"Now the government, and Minister Gormley's Department, must give its assurances that it will step up and assist all local authorities, businesses and homeowners with the financial fall out from this blunder," concluded Deputy Sherlock.

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