Dáil protest at septic tank fee

Several hundred people from Connemara and rural Co Galway held a protest outside the Dáil yesterday against the Government’s plans for a registration fee of €50 per household to facilitate inspections of septic tanks, The protest was held to coincide with a Dáil debate on the Water Services Amendment Bill.

A spokesman for an anti- registration fee group from south Connemara, Pádraig “An Táilliúir” Ó Conghaola, said the protest was only the first of a series in the campaign against the charge.

He said Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan would have to take notice of the 470,000 households who used septic tanks and who were responsible citizens.

Politicians who gave support included Fianna Fáil deputy leader Eamon Ó Cuív, Independent TD Noel Grealish and senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh of Sinn Féin. Mr Ó Clochartaigh said the fees were unequal and unfair.