Can Lough Funshinagh even be defined as a turlough anymore?

A turlough is a disappearing lake. The water is supposed to come from a subterranean source and then disappear after a number of months. The issue is that has not happened for many years at Lough Funshinagh.

WATER levels are rising in grassy hollows known as turloughs and flooding acres of farmland, especially in western counties.

Senator Ailing Dolan recently highlighted the rising waters of Lough Funshinagh in Roscommon following the recent spate of rainstorms.

She told the Seanad: “We need to discuss flood measures and flood alleviation projects and how we can accelerate them, as well as what can be done in respect of areas within a special area of conservation (SAC).

“That will require different departments speaking to each other. Under Natura 2000, there are 75 recognised turloughs in the European Union. Of those, 45 are in Ireland, with the remainder spread throughout Germany and Slovenia.” 

Senator Dolan said the majority of Ireland's turloughs are in Roscommon, Galway, Clare and elsewhere on the western seaboard, a limestone and karst region with designated special areas of conservation.

She said the water is supposed to come from a subterranean source and then disappear after a number of months.

But that has not happened for many years at Lough Funshinagh and she wondered if it can even be defined as a turlough anymore.

"A turlough is a disappearing lake. The water is supposed to come from a subterranean source and then disappear after a number of months. The issue is that has not happened for many years at Lough Funshinagh. I do not know whether the likes of Lough Funshinagh can even be defined as a turlough anymore."

“I have a question regarding the designation of SACs and in particular the designation when a turlough no longer meets the criteria for or scientific definition of a turlough.

“What can be done in such cases? The water level at Lough Funshinagh is currently raised and the land, biodiversity, and trees around it are all flooded.

“My question relates to the re-designation of SACs, flood relief projects and the Government's plan for managing this issue,” she said.

Senator Lisa Chambers, Leader of the House, said it might be worth submitting a Commencement matter because the issue is topical.

“I do not know how we would re-designate SACs. I assume it is not a straightforward process, but I take on board the points on how a reassessment can be carried out if the situation on the ground changes,” she said.