Fianna Fáil is stepping up its information campaign on septic tank registration this week with a series of information meetings across Co Donegal.

According to Donegal Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill, there is still a lot of confusion about the impact of the Government’s new septic tank legislation.

"The Government has failed completely to provide the proper information about the septic tank registration process, the grant aid available and the inspection standards that will apply. I have spoken to many septic tank owners here who are still confused about what this all means for them. That is why Fianna Fáil has stepped in to provide people with the information they need as the deadline for registration approaches," said Senator Ó Domhnaill.

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Meetings were held in Glenties, Donegal Town and Falcarragh over the weekend, and were addressed by Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill, Councillor Paul Canning, and Local Councillors David Alcorn and Seamus Ó Domhnaill.

"Fianna Fáil has appealed to the Environment Minister Phil Hogan to extend the deadline for septic tank registration to April, to give rural dwellers a proper chance to have their questions answered and scrutinise the inspection standards which have not yet been published. Unfortunately Minister Hogan is pushing ahead with his February 1st deadline without communicating properly with septic tank owners. This is deeply disappointing. Through these meetings Fianna Fáil is endeavouring to answer the questions that the Government has failed to answer," said Senator Ó Domhnaill.

Cllr Paul Canning, who is an architect and qualified site assessor, added: "We want to provide local homeowners with the information they need about these new laws and to assist them with the registration process. It is unacceptable that the Government has failed to do this while imposing a deadline of February 1st in order to avail of grant aid of up to €4,000 and escape huge fines put in place by the Environment Minister."

(CD/GK)