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"Blatant attack on rural dwellers"
- TD
16.09.11
INISHOWEN Fianna Fáil
TD Charlie McConalogue has hit out at the decision
to impose a €50 charge on households with septic
tanks.
He said the fee amounted to "a blatant attack on
rural dwellers in Donegal".
Deputy McConalogue said: “Minister Phil Hogan has
confirmed that he intends to hit 440,000 households
nationwide with a septic tank registration charge.
His climb-down on the value of that charge does not
disguise the fact that it is a blatant attack on
rural dwellers who are not in a position to avail of
urban sewerage schemes. |
“Whether this fee is
€300 or €50, the bottom line is that it is highly
discriminatory. The Minister cannot deny that he is
effectively penalising Donegal homes that are
dependent on septic tanks. They now have to pay this
fee next year on top of the new household charge and
the upcoming charges for water use. No matter how
Minister Hogan tries to spin it, it’s blatant double
taxation for rural householders," said Deputy
McConalogue.
“Other jurisdictions have avoided inflicting the
cost of this process directly onto households. |
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Deputy Charlie McConalogue |
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In Scotland, all septic
tanks have to be registered but the households
affected do not have to pay and there are no
mandatory inspections. In Northern Ireland, any
inspection costs are borne by the Northern Ireland
environment agency," he added. |
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