Cllr Lawlor questions action over septic tanks

COUNCILLOR George Lawlor raised his concerns over the action taken against individuals with septic tank problems,

Cllr Lawlor said that he was aware of a pensioner and his wife who had been summoned to court because of problems with their septic tank. He said he was aware of a number of cases in which action was taken against people whose septic tanks were not performing as they should, despite the fact that they don’t have the resources.

‘I understand that legislation is in place,’ he said. ‘What concerns me is that individuals are being taken to court. There are a number of cases in small housing estates and no action has been taken against them.’

Cllr Lawlor said that he felt there was a reluctance to pursue estate owners and developers in similar situations.

Director of Services Tony Larkin said it was a very difficult area and said it is very hard for him to discuss the hypothetical.

Cllr Lawlor referred to the original case saying:

‘It is hard to understand, knowing their circumstances, that we are pursuing them through the court knowing that they are not in the position to fund it.’

Director of Services John Carley said that they are always reluctant to prosecute people but sometimes ‘it’s the only way’.

Cllr Robbie Ireton said that he agreed with Cllr Lawlor.

‘Some builders left housing estates in appalling conditions,’ he said. ‘ The Council has a lot to do.’

Councillor Willie Fitzharris later defended Wexford builders saying that all projects have a complete team and that builders are ‘only a small cog in a wheel’.

‘We have some of the finest builders in the country,’ he said. ‘It is unfair to tarnish all of the Wexford builders.’