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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Mar 1938

Vol. 70 No. 9

Committee on Finance. - Vote 24—Ordnance Survey.

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £20,447 chun slánuithe ná suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1939, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí na Suirbhéireachta Ordonáis agus Mion-tSeirbhísí, ar a n-áirmhítear Macsamhla de Láimhscríbhinní Seanda do dhéanamh.

That a sum not exceeding £20,447 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1939, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Ordnance Survey and of Minor Services, including the Facsimile Reproduction of Ancient Manuscripts.

This is a Vote that has been progressively decreasing for the past nine years, which must bring joy to the heart of the taxpayer and to the Minister for Finance, but it seems to me that this is one of the Votes which should not be decreasing at the present time. The ordnance survey is very much behind the times. I believe some of the maps are as much as 20 years out of date, or even more. At the present time, Dublin and certain other places are seriously considering the matter of town planning. The fact that the ordnance survey is so very much out of date complicates that matter very considerably. After all, terrific building has taken place even in the last five years, and to try and plan a city on 20-year-old maps is obviously a hopeless procedure.

The only reduction in this particular case is due to the retirement of an official. The Deputy may take it that the Government is fully conscious of the importance of this particular service, and it is not being starved in any way.

Vote put and agreed.
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