236 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Finance when an offer of compensation will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny relating to the Nore drainage scheme in Kilkenny; and if all professional fees incurred will be paid for by the Office of Public Works. [36193/06]

238 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Finance when the compensation arising from the flood relief scheme in Kilkenny city will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the valuers from both sides have met in recent times; if they have reached agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36292/06]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 and 238 together.

The claimant's valuer and the OPW valuer have met in recent weeks to discuss the various elements/heads of this claim for compensation for interference arising out of the works on the River Nore (Kilkenny City) Drainage Scheme. It is expected that offers of compensation in respect of most of the elements comprised in the claim will issue within the next few days but further information and clarification is still required in relation to a few remaining elements of the claim before these can be progressed further. Contact between the respective valuers is ongoing and it is hoped that a mutually acceptable settlement of the full claim can be successfully negotiated at an early stage. It is normal practice for any reasonable Professional fees incurred to be included in the assessment of compensation.