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337. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív   asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legislation or statutory instrument by which he proposes to grant exemption from planning to householders who have to upgrade their waste water systems in order to comply with the provisions of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6699/12]
338. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the EU directives or legislation, national legislation or statutory instrument by which he proposes to grant exemptions from environmental screening and environmental impact statements to householders who have to upgrade their waste water systems in order to comply with the provisions of the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6700/12]
339. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the legislation or statutory instrument by which he proposes to ensure that all householders no matter how small their site will be able to comply with the regulations under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6701/12]
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan): I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 to 339, inclusive, together.
I refer to the reply to Question Nos. 19 and 40 of 2 February 2012, which sets out the position in this matter.
340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if householders will have to comply with EN 12566-3 as part of their obligations [477]under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6702/12]
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan): The European standard EN 12566 is a suite of standards for wastewater treatment systems consisting of 7 parts of which parts 1, 3 and 4 are harmonised product standards. These standards set out the testing and factory production control regimes for septic tanks (Part 1 and 4) and packaged wastewater treatment systems (Part 3). Ireland recently set minimum performance levels for the tests in these standards through National Annexes which ensure that the products being used in Ireland are fit for purpose. The performance levels set are in line with current practice and are no more onerous than the existing requirements.
If a septic tank or biological treatment unit has to be replaced, for whatever reason, then the new product should conform with the relevant harmonised European Product standard and meet the requirements of the Irish National Annex.
There is no obligation under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 to provide a specific type of on-site wastewater treatment unit.
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