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Tuesday 20 October 2020
The EPA’s annual report shows that half of all septic tanks (1,160) failed inspection last year.
Cork had the highest number of failures.
A major issue is tanks not being emptied and cleaned regularly enough.
106 households in North Kildare will take part in the largest private group sewage scheme in Ireland.
The EPA says that most failures are down to poor maintenance.
Strict new coronavirus measures are now in effect – here’s what they mean for you.
Phil Hogan has thanked all who registered their septic tanks and said the “silent majority” supported the legislation.
Nine things you need to know this morning…
Environment Minister Phil Hogan had vowed to wrap up EPA inspections – needed for the daily fines to stop – before end of last month but deadline has not been met.
76.6 per cent of homes had registered their tank by this morning – with 113,957 homes risking a €5,000 fine.
Minister Hogan urged the remainder of viable households to registers as soon as possible – noting inspections will begin in the coming months.
Nine things you need to know before you start your day…
Kerry county has the highest registration rate – but Dublin city residents have a lot of ground to make up.
Those who don’t register by this Friday could face a fine of up to €5,000.
5 minutes, 5 stories, 5 o’clock…
The ECJ also fines Ireland another €1.5 million for breach of European rules on environmental impact assessments.
To be eligible for a septic tank grant, householders must register by 1 February 2013.
The EU’s top court will rule later this month on whether Ireland’s new septic tank inspections are enough to avoid a fine.
Over 20,000 homes which are eligible for mandatory inspections have signed up in the last few days, but overall interest remains low.
The discount registration window shuts next Friday – with only a fraction of the 437,000 tanks registered at the lower rate.
If you don’t register your septic tank before or on 28 September, the price jumps from €5 to €50.
The number of registrations for mandatory inspections remains low, almost a month into the special €5 window.
It will cost €5 to register a septic tank between now and 28 September, and €50 after that date, until 1 February 2013.
Mattie McGrath – who isn’t even a member of the Oireachtas environment committee – was ordered out by the chairman.
The Department of the Environment says testing for the delayed registration is underway, and the rollout could be soon.
Tests, tests and more tests – but schools and colleges aren’t giving us the creativity we need in this crisis, writes Kate Katharina Ferguson.
All the biggest news stories from the day, as well as the few bits and pieces you might not have seen.
5 stories, 5 minutes, 5 o’clock…
Phil Hogan is forced to acknowledge that registrations for tanks will be delayed, but there is no comment on why.
The Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors says it has 350 firms which could be used to install meters quickly.
TheJournal.ie’s Q&A on one of the most controversial issues of the day…
Septic tanks, dry-cleaning receipts and Michael D’s knees – just some of the strange things we never thought we’d obsess about in a political context… but we do now.
All the day’s main news as well as the bits and pieces you may have missed…
The guidelines for septic tank regulation have been published by Minister Phil Hogan today. Submissions on the guidlines are now being sought.
The nine stories you need to know this morning.
The Environment Minister was speaking after he announced that the mandatory inspection fee for owners of septic tanks was reduced to €5 for the first three months.
The government’s under pressure over its plans to enforce mandatory inspections of septic tanks. So what’s the story?
Opposition TDs wanted to delay the Water Services Amendment Bill until expert advice had been received, but were frustrated.
In tonight’s fix: Downgrades for France – and difficulty for us? Plus: yet more rows over septic tanks, victory for workers at La Senza, and every presentation you’ve ever seen…
The government has rejected claims that it has misled the Dáil and the public over fines for failure to comply with EU regulations on septic tanks.
THE IRISH FARMERS Association has urged Irish MEPs to vote to ban words traditionally linked to meat products from being used on vegetarian alternatives.
The European Parliament is to vote this week on the terminology used for plant-based meat and dairy substitutes.
Amendments put forward would restrict the naming of such products so that they could not use terms normally associated with meat products.
One amendment would curtail the use of terms such as ‘steak’, ‘sausage’, ‘escalope’, ‘burger’ or ‘hamburger’ on products that do not exclusively contain meat.
The IFA has written to MEPs urging them to accept both amendments to protect Irish consumers and the agricultural industry here.
IFA President Tim Cullinan said yesterday that dairy products or plant-based meat branded with ‘real’ meat descriptions is “deliberately misleading to our consumers and undermines our industry.”
What do you think: Should vegetarian foods be allowed use words like ‘steak’ and ‘burger’?
Poll Results:
Share your story: voices@thejournal.ie
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