Archives

Health & Environment At Risk As Half Of Septic Tanks Fail Inspection.

Half of septic tanks failed inspection, putting householders’ health and environment at risk, says EPA.

  • Local authorities completed 1,390 septic tank inspections in 2024, targeted near rivers and household drinking water wells which are most at risk of contamination by faulty septic tanks.
  • 56% of septic tanks failed inspection. It is critically important that householders maintain their septic tanks as such failures have the potential to be a risk to their family’s health and the environment.
  • 82% of septic tanks that failed during 2013–2024 were fixed by the end of 2024, which shows continued improvement. This has been aided by an increased uptake in grants.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the report on Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections 2024, which details the findings of septic tank inspections completed by local authorities in 2024.

Domestic waste water treatment systems, mostly septic tanks, are used by householders to treat sewage. There are nearly half a million systems in Ireland. The EPA’s National Inspection Plan 2022-2026 requires local authorities to complete a minimum of 1,200 inspections annually, targeted near rivers and in areas where septic tanks are co-located with household drinking water wells. 1,390 septic tanks were inspected in 2024 with 56% (773) failing because they were not built or maintained properly.

When septic tanks fail inspection, local authorities issue advisory notices to householders setting out what is required to fix the problem. The EPA report found that 82% of septic tanks that failed during 2013–2024 were fixed, (81% in Co. Tipperary) up from 75% at the end of 2021. The number of advisory notices open more than two years decreased for the first time, from 576 at the end of 2023, to 523 at the end of 2024.

Water Authority. Inspections Required 2024Inspections
done 2024
.
Failure rate
2024
Systems failing
2013-2024
.
Percent fixed
at end 2024
.
Tipperary.40.42.31%182.81%

Commenting on the report, Dr Micheál Lehane, (Director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring) said: “The reduction in the number of old advisory notices (over two years) is to be welcomed, however, the number not resolved remains unacceptably high, allowing risks to public health and the environment to continue. Greater and sustained enforcement effort is needed by local authorities during their annual septic tank inspections, checking that faulty septic tanks are fixed and taking legal action where necessary.”

The grant schemes for remediation of septic tanks were changed at the start of 2024 to increase the amount from €5,000 to €12,000 and remove the requirement to have registered the septic tank in 2013. There were 265 grants awarded in 2024, totalling nearly €2.5 million, up from 194 grants in 2023.

Mr Noel Byrne, (EPA Programme Manager) said: “More than half of septic tanks failed inspection, which is a real concern. Householders’ water supplies and local rivers may be exposed to contamination from faulty septic tanks, which can pose a serious health risk to individuals and the local environment. By maintaining their septic tank and fixing any problems identified, householders will protect their health and the environment. Householders should take advantage of the enhanced grants where applicable.”

The National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 2022 – 2026 was published by the EPA in 2021. The plan requires a minimum of 1,200 inspections from 2023 onwards. There was a shortfall in inspections by four local authorities (Limerick, Donegal, Wexford and Leitrim) in 2024 and these need to be completed in 2025. The EPA will continue to monitor local authorities that are required to make up these shortfalls in 2025.

The report, Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections 2024, is available on the EPA’s website.

One Closure Order Served On Tipperary Food Business In April 2025.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that ten Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses during the month of April 2025, for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Enforcement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Two Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

  • Greenville Deli (Restaurant/Café), 45 Monkstown Avenue, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
  • Sirmone Limited T/A Soul Bakery and TPB, Unit L5, Ballymount Industrial Estate, Dublin 12.

Six Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:

  • Barne Lodge (Restaurant/Café), Rathkeevan, Clonmel, Tipperary.
  • The City Arms Gastro Bar/ Bistro (Closed area: The food storage and preparation area: preparation, cooking and service of food) (Public House), 50 High Street, Waterford.
  • Tasty (Take Away), The Square Dromcollogher, Charleville, Limerick.
  • Namaste Indian Cuisine, 88/89 King Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7.
  • Bojon Spices (all the activities of the business, establishments, holdings or other premises be ceased and the internet sites or social media sites it operates or employs be ceased) (Restaurant/Café), Summerhill Road, Dunboyne, Meath.
  • Rio Latte Bar (Restaurant/Café), Unit 7, Park Shopping Centre, Prussia Street, Dublin 7.

Two Improvement Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

  • Sancta Maria Nursing Home, Parke, Kinnegad, Meath
  • Sligo Spice (Retailer), McGlynns Terrace, 1 Lower Pearse Road, Sligo

Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in April include:
no documentation of pest control checks; multiple mouse droppings throughout the premises, including in a cupboard, under a sink and wash hand basin used for storing cleaning equipment; flies observed in the kitchen with no fly screen in place; failure by staff to demonstrate any knowledge of food safety management procedures; inadequate and uncalibrated equipment used to monitor temperatures; lack of evidence to support use-by dates on defrosted food; lack of cleaning and disinfection; no hot water or designated hand wash basin in the food preparation area; a heavily stained kitchen, with visible dirt and grease on cooking equipment and stainless steel surfaces; customer toilets and urinals that had not been cleaned; an outdoor sink unit positioned over an open drainage gully, posing a contamination risk.

Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, warned that there is an obligation for food businesses to act responsibly and ensure the food they provide to their customers is safe to eat.

“Food businesses owe it to their customers that the food they are selling is safe to eat. Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s also a legal requirement under food law. Consumers have a right to trust that the food they buy is safe to eat and that it complies with all relevant food safety legislation. The findings that led to these Enforcement Orders highlight an unacceptable disregard for basic food safety and hygiene practices. These are preventable issues, and there are simply no excuses for failing to comply with the law. Food businesses must remain vigilant, ensuring regular checks, effective pest control, and thoroughly cleaned well-maintained premises to protect their customers’ health and uphold consumer trust in the food chain.”

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.

McDonalds Restaurant In Thurles Appealed To An Bord Pleanála.

Planning permission for a “Single Storey Drive Thru McDonalds restaurant” here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, granted by Tipperary County Council, has now been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

This proposed single storey restaurant was intended to be erected on a site situated adjacent to the N62 at the junction of Clongour Road and Slievenamon Road, south of a proposed and as yet unfunded inner relief road close to Lidl Supermarket.

If erected same would immediately invade the privacy of a large cluster of private residential properties, already erected within meters of the surrounding area.

The appeal rightly raises concerns about the impact on the residents of the area; pedestrian safety due to undoubted traffic congestion, and the existing biodiversity, especially close to the nearby Thurles River Walk.
Tipperary County Council had granted permission on April 9th 2025, but with some 15 conditions attached.
These conditions included limiting the restaurant to operating strictly between the hours of 6:00am and 10:00pm, instead of the day and night permission, which had initially been sought by McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland Limited.

Further submissions on this appeal can be made, up until June 4th 2025, at a cost of €50.

Undeclared Walnut In Donnybrook Fair Banana Bread.

Undeclared Walnut in mispacked Donnybrook Fair Banana Bread.

Alert Summary dated Friday, May 2nd, 2025.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A18.
Allergen: Nuts.
Product Identification: Donnybrook Fair Banana Bread, pack size: 250g Batch Code 118; use by date: 07/05/2025.
Country Of Origin: Ireland
.

Message: Donnybrook Fair are recalling the above batch of Banana Bread, as the product contained in the pack is Carrot Cake. Walnuts are an ingredient of the Carrot Cake, but are not declared on the Banana Bread label. This may make the product unsafe for consumers who are allergic to Walnuts, and, therefore, these consumers should not eat the product.

Contract Delays Mid-West Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.

Co. Clare TD Mr Joe Cooney has requested that Minister for Transport, Mr Darragh O’Brien, TD, investigate why the procurement of a new operator for the Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopter base in Shannon has resulted in the service being unable to attend medical evacuation calls on behalf of the HSE.

Deputy Cooney said Bristow Ireland, unlike the previous operator CHC Ireland, is currently not licensed to take stretchers onboard, if responding to an emergency medical support call-out, due to Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) regulatory approvals not being met.

The Clare TD, while acknowledging that the Department has confirmed that full resumption of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service is anticipated; expresses his concern that a vital component of the service previously provided by CHC Ireland, was not prioritised during the procurement process.

Deputy Cooney has also asked for clarity on why Bristow Ireland only assumed full 24-hour cover at Shannon on April 1st, almost 5 months after it commenced operating from 8:00am to 8:00pm at Shannon, suggesting that the terms of the new contract were not adhered to.

Deputy Cooney stated, “The Department of Transport faces serious questions about its procurement process and the resulting gap in emergency medical response coverage from the Shannon base,” he explained. “Given the well documented delays in ambulance cover for much of the mid-west region, and the reliance on and importance of the helicopter to provide the necessary emergency medical cover, the concerns expressed to me by constituents have revolved around the impact this issue might have had for those in need of such a critical service.”

Deputy Cooney continued, “At present, Shannon is the only one of the four bases operating under the new contract. Bristow Ireland is scheduled to commence operations at Dublin Weston on 1 July 2025, Sligo on 16 December 2025, and Waterford on 1 February 2026. The absurdity of the situation is underscored by the fact that, due to the failure to meet the 30th of June deadline for Bristow Ireland’s commencement at Dublin, Waterford and Sligo, CHC Ireland is still responding to medical evacuation calls on behalf of the HSE from these bases.”

Deputy Cooney also pointed out that Bristow Ireland, has yet to move into its own hangars at its base in Shannon and is currently sharing a hangar with an aircraft maintenance company.

“I have spoken with the Department and will be asking the Minister to review the procurement process,” he stated. “Clearly a vital piece of the service was omitted from the tendering process, an acknowledgement of these shortcomings is important in identifying the lessons that need to be learned here.”

In a written response to his Parliamentary Question, issued this week to Deputy Cooney, the Department of Transport stated, “On April 8th 2025, Bristow Ireland was notified by Irish Aviation Authority that the stretcher arrangement in use required modification to meet Helicopter Emergency Medical Support (HEMS) regulatory approvals. This decision does not apply to Helicopter Search and Rescue Operations and only applies to the Shannon base. The Coast Guard continues to provide nationwide HEMS support to the National Ambulance Service from its bases at Sligo, Waterford and Dublin. My department has been notified by Bristow Helicopters that it will shortly have a revised solution in place and anticipates full resumption of HEMS, shortly thereafter. It is important to note that this review has no impact on provision of day and night aeromedical support to the offshore island communities, from any of the four bases.”