This article is from page 16 of the 2012-01-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
THE people of Clare have been urged to engage in a period of “civil disobedience” in protest at new septic tank laws and the household charge.
The call was made Independent councillor James Breen who said people should bring the country to “standstill”.
Cllr Breen was speaking at a special meeting of Clare County Council held to debate new legislation that will require homeowners to register their septic tanks for a € 50 fee.
Cllr Breen was strongly critical of the new Water Services (Amendment) Bill. He said that instead of forcing new fees on hard-pressed homeowners, the Government should look instead at abolishing town councils and the Seanád. He also called for a reduction in the amount of councillors sitting on local authorities. “I am speaking against myself on this,” he said.
Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) said that while there was a need for a proper and effective water supply in the country, the manner in which the new legislation is being imposed on rural dwellers “is entirely unfair”.
He added, “Rural Ireland needs to be as equal as urban Ireland and the Government hasn’t shown that.”
Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) said rural homeowners have already paid for water services through planning regulations. He said there remained a lot of unanswered questions in relation to the inspection process, standards and the role of inspectors.
He continued, “It will affect the pockets of thousands of country people. We will discuss no more important motion for a long time.”
Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) acknowledged the concerns of rural communities but said the Minister for the Environment was determined to introduce the legislation in a “step by step” basis.
Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) said there had been a lot of “scaremongering” on the issue.
He added, “It’s essential there is grant aid.” Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) said the legislation is being “rushed through”.