MANDATORY INSPECTIONS OF SEPTIC TANKS WILL BE “BIGGER THAN THE ROD LICENCE ISSUE” IN RURAL IRELAND, ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR OF ROSCOMMON EUGENE MURPHY.

HE MADE THE CLAIM LAST NIGHT AS A CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE MEASURE WAS LAUNCHED IN CO ROSCOMMON.

UP TO HALF A MILLION RURAL DWELLERS ARE LIKELY TIO BE AFFECTED BY THE INSPECTION OF SEPTIC TANKS REGIME, WHICH MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT PHIL HOGAN HAS SAID IS NECESSARY TO COMPLY WITH AN EU DIRECTIVE.

HOWEVER MEP MARIAN HARKIN, WHO IS SPEARHEADING A CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE MEASURE, WHICH SHE BELIEVES UNFAIRLY DISCRIMINATES AGAINST RURAL DWELLERS, SAID THE INSPECTION REGIME WOULD BE “A CASH COW” FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND SHE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING ON THE ISSUE IN EVERY COUNTY OVER COMING WEEKS.LAST NIGHT’S MEETING WAS IN CURRAGHBOY, CO ROSCOMMON

THE COUNTY MAYOR, FF COUNCILLOR  EUGENE MURPHY WARNED THAT “THIS ISSUE IS GOING TO BE BIGGER THAN THE ROD LICENCE DISPUTE IN RURAL IRELAND”.