asked the Minister for Finance when the last comprehensive ordnance survey of the Twenty-Six Counties was conducted; if he has any plans for such a full scale survey; and the total cost of such a survey.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Comprehensive Ordnance Survey.
6.
A survey of all Ireland with the exception of some mountain areas was carried out by the Ordnance Survey over the period from 1863 to 1913. The survey was on the 1:2,500 scale, or approximately 25-inch to the mile, and it was the last comprehensive survey of the country.
As regards the second part of the Deputy's question, a primary triangulation of the State, to form the basis of a new comprehensive survey to the best modern standards, dovetailing into the corresponding survey for the Six-County area, was initiated in 1962 and completed in 1965. Detail survey of Dublin city and its environs on this basis for purposes of remapping is now in progress.
Any fullscale survey of the country would be a task extending over a number of years and it would not therefore be feasible to estimate the total cost in advance.
Would I not be correct in saying that, while the comprehensive peripatetic survey awaits completion, a very valuable subsitute would be an aerial photographic survey from which a great deal of valuable information could ad interim be secured by the Ordnance Survey while we await proceedings which will take a very long time?
I agree that it would appear at first sight that an aerial photographic survey would be more beneficial than that which is being carried out at present but I am not competent to say what technical advantage it would have over the present system. However, I will convey the Deputy's question as to whether a photographic aerial survey would be feasible and worth while carrying out to those responsible.
I am grateful to the Minister.