Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to compensate farmers such as a person (details supplied) in County Galway through a Dúchas scheme for the continuous flooding of their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44507/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Tarmon South is a candidate Special Area of Conservation and is therefore protected under the Habitats Directive, which was transposed into Irish law through the E.C. (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997.

I understand that the Office of Public Works commissioned an investigation into flooding in the Gort-Ardrahan Area of South Galway in 1998. As part of this investigation, a detailed ecological assessment was carried out into the likely impacts of drainage works on the SAC. It was established that the natural frequency and duration regime of the water levels in the Tarmon area was critical to sustain the ecology of the turlough system.

The Natural Habitats Regulations provide for compensation to landowners for actual losses that accrue due to designation of their land. In this case, no actual loss has been suffered and I have no plans to provide for compensation in such circumstances.