17th February, 2012

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) Rural Development Chairman, John Barron, has said that the Government needs to get its own house in order regarding sewage treatment rather than persecuting hard pressed rural householders with septic tanks.  “News that the EPA has found that almost half of the local authority managed waste treatment plants do not meet national or EU standards will surely outrage rural dwellers who have been pinpointed as needing to upgrade septic tanks.”

John Barron continued, “The Government appear to operate on the basis of do as I say not do as I do. The recent report from the EPA highlights that many of the country’s municipal waste water treatment plants are not up to scratch and these are the biggest causes of river pollutants in the country. This comes at a time when there is a considerable level of anxiety amongst those who will potentially be affected by problems with their septic tank system.”

“We are calling on equality from the Government on this matter. People living in the countryside are facing into a very uncertain future that could culminate with a bill of thousands of euro following the upgrade and installation of a new septic tank system. The Irish Government needs to take a long hard look at itself on this matter. How can they, with any credibility, demand Irish rural dwellers to sign up for septic tank inspections when this report proves that they are unable to take care of their own housekeeping?” Mr. Barron concluded.