Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

I share the Deputies' concern about repeated flooding in the Roundfort-Hollymount area of County Mayo and the need for remedial action. That area around Ballinrobe, Coolabaun, Kilcommon, Rahard and Caravilla is one of Ireland's finest and I express my best wishes to all those affected by the flooding in that area. Indeed, my own home was flooded six years ago and I know all about having to leave a house when the flood waters rise. It is one of the most difficult experiences that a family can have.

In determining how best to address this issue, the Office of Public Works, which proposes to undertake this work, must take into consideration that the area concerned involves two turloughs, which are part of the Kilglassan-Caheravoostia turlough complex special area of conservation, SAC. As such, it is protected under the European Union Habitats Directive. I am sure the Deputies agree that compliance with European Union directives must be a priority for this Government and they would be the first to point out were we to breach those directives.

As they may well know, turloughs are lakes which disappear underground for part of the year. They are a unique feature of this country and an irreplaceable part of our natural heritage. They are among the most distinctive of our semi-natural landscapes, and many are of international importance. This complex in Mayo is one of the most important and is host to a wide range of habitats. Turloughs are also listed for priority protection under the Habitats Directive. Where proposed works would affect Natura 2000 sites, such as in this case, it is obligatory that the procedures adopted in considering and implementing proposals are in compliance with this directive.

Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive requires that an appropriate assessment be undertaken of any proposals for works which would be likely to have a significant impact on the site. This assessment has to consider the effects of the proposed works on the protected habitats. My Department is advising the OPW on whether its assessment of the impact of the proposed works has ruled out the possibility of damage to the site.

If it is found that such works would have an adverse impact on the site, in view of its conservation objectives, it may only proceed if certain steps outlined in the derogation provisions of Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive are complied with. This includes all possible alternative solutions being thoroughly examined and excluded. It also requires that a case be made that the works should go ahead due to imperative reasons of over-riding public interest and that all necessary compensatory measures must be taken. In cases where priority habitat is present on the site, the Commission may also need to be consulted before works can proceed.

In the case under consideration, it is important that the particular flood alleviation methods proposed by the OPW do not damage the hydrology of the turlough complex, causing reduction or disappearance of the turloughs in normal years when water levels at the site would not be expected to give rise to concerns.

My Department has received proposals from the Office of Public Works for drainage operations to alleviate the flooding problem, and has examined the associated assessment. My Department's role is to advise on the quality of the assessment in so far as the likely impacts on the site are concerned. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department has arranged to meet the OPW in early April in order to arrive at an optimum solution to the flooding problem. I thank the Deputies for raising the question.

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