Hogan says there is ‘no excuse’ not to pay septic tank charge

07/02/12 5,009 Views 81 Comments

Phil Hogan

Image: Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

ENVIRONMENT MINISTER PHIL Hogan has said that “people have no excuse” not to register their septic tank for inspection.

It follows his announcement yesterday that the inspection charge will reduced when it is introduced in April for the first three months.

The cost of registration will now be €5 for the first three months as an incentive for septic tank owners to register early ahead of the deadline for registration in March of next year. After the first three months, registration will cost €50.

There are over 400,000 septic tanks in Ireland which are now required to be inspected to ensure they comply with European standards following a ruling from the European Court of Justice in 2009 which imposes fines on Ireland unless it complies.

There are fears that the legislation, passed by the Oireachtas last month, unfairly targets rural Ireland and that owners of septic tanks will face further costs if remedial works are needed.

“I’m obliged to implement this particular court ruling. I’m doing so in the most benign way possible,” he insisted on Newstalk’s Breakfast programme this morning.

He said that if work was required on the tank after an inspection is carried out then it would cost around €100 to carry out measures such as desludging.

“That’s not an onerous financial burden on anybody to ensure that we have a good water quality,” he said.

Hogan said that in cases where there is a bigger problem with the septic tank which requires more expensive work, there would be help provided for those on low incomes.

The Minister also dismissed fears from opposition parties that the legislation was unfairly targeting rural people.

Both Fianna Fáil and independent TDs such as Mattie McGrath have harshly criticised the government. McGrath said last month that the proposals were “a discriminatory piece of legislation against rural dwellers.”

“We see this now as unnecessary nonsense and frightening rural people,” Hogan said on Newstalk. “I’m glad to allay these fears of rural people in terms of the cost and in terms of proper response in carrying out the work.”

The Minister also said that around 78,000 households had registered to pay the household charge of €100 which was introduced this year. The deadline for registration for the temporary tax measure is at the end of March.

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Comments (81 Comments)

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Ciaro 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 6 51

Other than the fact that they have had it with extra taxes.

Reply
- Mensah Mensah 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 0 16
  
  Sure if i earn 90k plus extra’s,paying that kind of money will be a walk in the park…
- Dermot Purcell 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 0 7
  
  Take that you peasents your masters are getting tired of listening to you whinging
tersarge 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 5 82

Pay 5€ now,then wait for the Government to put a saddle on you .

Reply
- Stephen Maher 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 0 28
  
  And ride you like a donkey.
Anthony O'Brien 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 1 84

Was I dreaming or did I hear that some years back the government of Ireland received funds from Europe to deal with septic tank issue………………and they spent it?

Reply
- Leslie Alan Rock 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 37
  
  And they don’t have to account for it. As a community worker if i get money for a certain project, that money must be spent on that project. I have paperwork after paperwork, report after report and jump through hoops to account and vouch it went in this project . While Hogan has to vouch for nothing.
Bob Flavin 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 5 57

JAFT there are now so many taxes I’ve made an acronym Just Another F**king Tax. Where will it end?

Reply
- Alan Pike 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 35
  
  There’s probably an acronym tax aswell
Spillinksuz 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 5 65

Don’t pay!

It’s that simple!

Let them build more jails to house us!!!

Reply
- Deke Diggler LLM,AO 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 1
  
  how much is 1 going 4 up in the north.
Silent P 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 14 32

I won’t pay it.. Ever!! Oh wait.. I don’t own a septic tank.

Reply
- Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 12
  
  Well don’t register and don’t pay the household tax !
conor hickey 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 6 31

Carrot on a stick. The Govt should pay owners to register the tanks.
400,000 owners will spend at least one day each going through the procedure. That’s a lot of unpaid hours.
What right do inspectors have to enter onto your land?

Reply
- Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 7 39
  
  It is not just a fiver or 50 or even 100 euros on these charges .It is:
  
  1) The last straw.
  
  2) It is the fact that the government will then have your details , so they can then charge you property taxes in future years. If you register yourself you are saving them a fortune as you are filling their data base with your information.
  
  3)It will not go towards any local services , it goes straight to pay off the greedy bankers who got us into this mess originally.
  
  Please , please think .Don’t register ,don’t pay.Stand together.
- Michael Manson 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 29
  
  Connor Hickey
  The carrott on a stick observation is very apt.
  Once we have registered they can do what they want.
  And be assured. THEY WILL!
- Brian Doherty 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 3 20
  
  No right at all. I’ll have the Dogs loose.
- Ann Illing 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 11
  
  Exactly Eileen. People need to realise it is just your details they want and if you register then the right to tax you , as you say…..dont register ……..ignore them……stick together…….
Gerard Murphy 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 5 42

He’s trying to be cuddly Phil, making it cheap to register.
The objective is to build the register of properties so as to enable further property taxes.
Don’t Register, Don’t Pay!

Reply
- Stephen Maher 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 26
  
  Going to my first anti household charge public meeting this evening. Looking forward to it a lot.
- Kerry Blake 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 18
  
  Went to one last night Stephen well worth it.
Niamh Byrne 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 1 18

I’d pay a tax to see that. :)

Reply
Donagh Molloy 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 3 35

What does the house hold charge pay for in rural houses?
Why a separate charge?

Reply
- Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 15
  
  It will go towards the very same thing it will go towards whether you
  live in a rural area ,village, town, large town, or city. It will pay off
  the bond holders, unsecured ,the Troika will have it . There will be
  no benefit in services for any one of us . Stand firm .Don’t register ,don’t pay.
john g mcgrath 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 1 32

This smacks of a u turn fair play to the boys in the country.
On another note does any body out there know what is the trade union position on house hold charge or are they keeping quiet in order not to upset government and Croke park accord

Reply
Gerard Murphy 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 3 58

Hogan: ‘There’s no excuse….’
For un-vouched expenses,
For allowances on top of salary for going to work,
For ministers to have laundry paid for,
For overpaid advisors cos they are worth it
For claiming pensions before retirement age
For socialising private debt
For saying emigration is a lifestyle choice,
For trying to tax people’s homes.

Reply
- john g mcgrath 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 34
  
  Or a subsidised bar and restaurant in the Dail
- Gerard Murphy 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 6 18
  
  or free parking (civil servants & gardai included)
Eamonn Connaghan 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 2 30

Don’t pay this charge, even at the reduced rate. It’s simply a ploy to get u to pay it this year and then next year they’ll already have your details and all they need to charge you even more, including the €45 reduction from this year.

Reply
Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 3 22

Unions ? Didn’t they die when the Croke Park agreement was signed ….
They at the very least should say something ,but they lost their back bones.

Reply
- Dermot Murphy 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 20
  
  The union bosses are bought and paid for.
Aine 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 1 22

why wont he publish the guidelines? show what we are signing up to. Only a fool would pay this. signing your name on a blank contract

Reply
Conor Heffernan 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 2 20

why is there even a need to register? Surely its easy to figure out the houses that arent on a sewerage scheme. Is there some other reason for registering maybe?

Reply
- Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 9
  
  Conor Heffernan
  
  Congratulations .
  You are now thinking out side the box.
  Yes the reason they want us all to register
  is to set up a data base of house/home owners
  The reason we have to do it ourselves is because
  they do not have the resources to set this data
  base up themselves…..
damien chaney 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 3 17

Why should people pay this? Is it to keep our ministers clothed in tailored suits, fed and watered in expensive restaurants and give them a little bonus every month in the way of unvouched expenses

Reply
Aurfur 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 1 16

Septic tanks were recorded on the last census, why do we need to supply the info again.

I don’t mind paying 100 euro if they want to come and empty my tank. Please can I pay to have it emptied now and waive the 5 euro charge. I always need it emptied once a year please where do I sign up? That will save me money.

Reply
- Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 9
  
  The government can not use this information from the census .
  There are very strict guidelines as to who can use that information
  and what it can be used for.
  They are trying to set up a data base , how can he reduce the charge from €50
  to €5 ??? They want / need your information so they can charge you property tax next year and for ever more.
  Get to a public meeting Hear why you should not register or pay.
- Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 4
  
  Aurfur .
  The fee is not for emptying the tank .
  It is just to register that you live in a house
  and that you have a septic tank.
  You will still have to pay some one
  to come in and empty it .
  
  Paying the charge gives the government
  permission to go on to your property and
  examine the tank. If they tell you it is not right
  by their estimation then you will be obliged
  to get a new one , for which yo will have to foot the bill.
- Niamh Byrne 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 2
  
  Eileen yes there are strict guidelines but do you not think its a bit of a coincidence that the three additional questions on the recent census are now the three things the government are looking to introduce a tax on? Homeowners, whether the house has broadband and whether it is connected to public sewage system? hmmm. It has made me a little suspicious.
- Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 1
  
  Niamh
  I wondered that at the time ,but had forgotten it. Now that you have reminded me
  ,I must say it all gets curiouser and curiouser….. Altho may be those questions
  were asked to get a general head count. That is why they know
  how much money can be brought in by imposing these charges on us.
Aranthos Faroth 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 0 17

Won’t pay. Can’t pay.
No excuse? Yeah, kinda proves that these lads really are living in a different time.

Reply
HELLO SPRUIKER 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 0 17

You’re dead right Phil.
This is a serious issue.
With the huge amount of highly toxic shit that your government are creating.
We all do need to make sure that our sewerage systems will be able to handle it all.

Reply
Stephen Maher 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 1 17

Another traitor’s name goes into the book.
It’s filling up nicely of late: kenny, Aherne, varadker, Rabitte, cowen, o’reilly, harney, fitzpatrick, mcfeely, Martin. . . . . . .

Reply
jimbo 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 0 14

shut up hogan

Reply
Rommel Burke 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 0 9

I’m waiting for the buy on get one free offer!
On second thoughts scrap that I always fall for those gimmicks.
Don’t register. Don’t pay!

Reply
Donna Walsh 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 8 11

septic tank and household taxes are statute tax otherwise known as an act of government and only carries the force of law upon you IF YOU CONSENT to it which means that you legally obliged to pay IF YOU CONSENT, if you do not consent a statute CANNOT AFFECT YOU in any way whatsoever.the courts know this and the last thing they will do is tell you.in fact they will hide it from you at every opportunity they can.on the other hand if you tell them they will accept it because they know it is actually true.a statute is a contract. if you register for these charges you are consenting to this statute i.e signing the contract this is why the government are ASKING the people to register and not just billing you instead. so if you do NOT register you are NOT contracting with them

Reply
- Paddy O Donnell 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 5
  
  wouldn’t be inclined to believe this!
- The kop 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 3 5
  
  well did you believed enda when he said “not one more red cent for anglo”….
  i’d prefer to believe this than any of the shite that keeps coming from hogan and the like….
- Tom Neville 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 3 2
  
  Donna,
  
  Where in the name of Jehovah did you get such rubbish?
- Deke Diggler LLM,AO 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 4
  
  This is factually incorrect.
- The kop 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 3
  
  you must have to toe the party line or be seen to tom…. being a Fine Galer and all….. are you under the whip?
- fantellie 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 0 2
  
  This idea has been doing the rounds a lot lately. Most responses I’ve seen have stated that it’s false and that in the eyes of the law the government is deemed to have the consent of the people for its statutes (not necessarily primary legislation though) by virtue of having been elected.
- divide by zero 08/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 0 0
  
  Ran this one by my solicitor; his response, to spare delicate sensibilities, was and I quote: “It’s boll*x.”
Deke Diggler LLM,AO 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 30 2

As if rural folk actually need something else to moan about.
It’s a fiver, you own a house budget it, maybe miss that last pint before you drive home, but stop complaining there is much worse going on, and you should be held responsible for the safe disposal of your effluent, nobody made you live where there is no sewerage system. I hate to disappoint but there is no Dublin conspiracy here.
Yours truly,
Rural dweller with septic tank(paid)

Reply
- Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 4 16
  
  there is a conspiracy here , and it is coming from the government in Dáil Eireann, not Dublin.
  Don’t register,don’t pay .
  Yours sincerely A Dublin resident .Won’t pay!
- Aurfur 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 0 8
  
  There is little control on what goes down main sewers. Eventually they discharge “treated” water into rivers. Storms cause main sewers to overflow. Probably very few septic tanks actually leak into rivers.
  Public schemes are paid with taxpayers money. Private schemes are not. Therefore rural dwellers pay twice. Modern septic tank owner. Where are river samples available on line please taken at sewage plant outfall?
- Donna Walsh 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 6 8
  
  i live out in the country.and i have a septic tank that is why i explained why you DONT have to pay these taxes that this government is trying to impose on us.as i stated let them take me to court cause there is nothing they can do as this is a statute the government will have to pay the court cost
- Deke Diggler LLM,AO 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 7 3
  
  Thought that might be popular,
  Lmfao
- Ian F. 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 5
  
  Clap clap Deke, you’re an obedient little drone. Pat on the head for you.
Andrew O Sullivan 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 2 20

I’m glad to see that people are starting to see passed all the shit, excuse the pun, coming from this government.

Reply
- Deke Diggler LLM,AO 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 5 3
  
  Ian, you could not be more wrong.
  I just don’t see any need to cry over a fiver. I just find it hilarious this contrary attitude everyone down the country seems too have.
  schools have been gutted, hospitals are being closed and your worried about a fiver for your septic tank. Grow up.
  Also I happen to agree with the sentiment, if your tank is leaking then what, you may be comfortable living in your own filth but I’m not.
The kop 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 3 20

as previous comment says…. if you DON’T REGISTER!!….THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO YOU….
i won’t be registering or paying…..i pay enough taxes!
i paid stamp duty like many others when we bought our homes are we supposed to forget about that….was it all a dream!! i can tell you it wasn’t…i have the mortgage to prove it….
i also pay a management company in the estate where i live for grass cutting…lighting…insurance…sewage care and road up-keep because it’s a private road… council(kildare) wont take charge of estate!!
so why would i pay a household charge!! for what??
as the saying goes…. a fool and his money are easily parted…. well minister…. I WON’T BE A FOOL FOR YOU!!

Reply
- Tom Neville 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 3 3
  
  Where in the name of God do you get such rubbish?
- Deke Diggler LLM,AO 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 4
  
  This is incorrect, don’t full peoples heads with this codswollop.
- Deke Diggler LLM,AO 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 3 1
  
  Fill.
- Weazel Macgagarthy 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 3
  
  You’re an idiot Deke, “standing knee deep in feces” stop trolling. Aren’t I surrounded by 1000′s of cattle here taking a crap everywhere. Game, set & match. Now get lost.
- The kop 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 3
  
  what rubbish are you talking about tom?…. i have the receipt from the management company that details what i pay 250euro every year for ….and have been paying for the past 5 yrs…. so it’s not rubbish….
Anthony O'Brien 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 0 8

Stamp duty is a tax that is levied on documents. Historically, this included the majority of legal documents. And then what did it turn into?……………….TAX. Registering for household/septic tank charges will lead to one thing and one thing only………….TAX.

Reply
Dermot Murphy 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 1 7

Europe gave us millions a few years ago for these tanks.Enquire as to where the money went.I think our old mate Bertie was in power.Need i say anymore

Reply
Davy Moore 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 1 15

3 years ago due to a planning application, I had my septic tank inspected, and lo and behold it failed.
This resulted in me having to purchase and install a bio treatment system (very popular brand) for my property.
The total price including Purchase, Installation, Groundwork was €9,500.00 .

Do Not be fooled by this €5 registration fee it is a trap.

Reply
- Donna Walsh 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 3 6
  
  a td brother living in dublin has his yard now filled with these tanks waiting on us all now to buy these thinking he will make money of us.stuff him and his tanks he ent going to make money from us
- Kerry Blake 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 7
  
  You should pass those details on to thejournal Donna. I’m sure the reporters here would be interested in something like that. Also he might know some details on how exactly septic tanks will be evaluated as it seems Horgan doesn’t have a clue about that allegadly…
- Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 2
  
  : http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/hogan-climbdown-reflects-growing-pressure-on-home-taxes-538887.html#ixzz1lhhx7qpw
- Deke Diggler LLM,AO 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 5 3
  
  Right better your neighbours stand knee deep in your faeces. If your tank failed it is a hazard, which you should pay for.
- Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 3 2
  
  Deke
  Don’t be so quick to believe all you are told by the party .
  Educate yourself on the matter and check out the things you
  are being told against the truth .
  I am sure you work very hard for your money .
  Why give it away so easily , along with your right to free speech
  and your right to think for yourself .
Hazel Jones 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 0 5

What I want to know is that farmers can spread tons and I mean tons of cow shit all over the fields at certain times of the year causing not only water but air polution and thats ok! The fact that this good news about only charging us €5 for a special time whoop de do is just to get all the stupid people to register,most people with 1 brain cell will realise that once again we’ve been sold down the river by our MPs. And if the tanks fail and more than desludgeing is required it’ll cost €1000s and ok the hard up won’t have to pay so much but what about the middle income earners we get hit time and time again,over a 1/3 of my partners money goes on tax we get no benefits because we are just over the limits but like many others are now living hand to mouth. If the government have to bring this policy in then they should be covering any work that needs to be carried out to any tank.

Reply
- Deke Diggler LLM,AO 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 3
  
  You wouldn’t fix your septic tank anyway, if it wasn’t functioning correctly? You’d only fix it if forced to by the government?
  Your ideas intrigue me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
- Hazel Jones 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 1 1
  
  @Deke Diggler If my septic tank wasn’t working I would have it fixed it works and works very well I do not need some bloke from local council charging me €50 to tell me. The €5 is just to get people to sign up and next year like the house tax could double and so on,its a matter of principle we are tried of being asked to keep paying out. When water charges come in people with their own wells won’t have to pay,the idea of this charge is to stop people wasting water whats stopping these people just leaving their taps running! Like everything its just certain people being targeted!
  I don’t have a news letter just common sense :)
Deke Diggler LLM,AO 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 5 3

Eileen, talking to you is like having a battle of wits with an unarmed man.

Reply
- Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
  
  Report this comment 2 1
  
  Deke
  Get lost ! :) You are trolling
Deke Diggler LLM,AO 07/02/12 #

Report this comment 2 2

Eileen I am not trolling I am disagreeing and returning your attack. You don’t want discussion you want an echo chamber, I shall stay as long as I like and take you up on the dangerously silly ideas you have.

Reply

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