asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, his Department have to update hydrographic surveys in coastal regions.
9.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hydrographic Surveys.
8.
asked the Minister for Defence if it is the intention of the Government to apply for membership of the International Hydrographic Organisation.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
Proposals for the establishment of a hydrographic service as part of the Naval Service are under consideration following the completion of a comprehensive study sponsored by my Department on the question of the benefits to be derived from providing additional hydrographic data for Irish waters and the associated costs.
The question of applying for membership of the International Hydrographic Organisation will arise in conjunction with the setting up of the hydrographic service.
Can the Minister tell the House when the cost/benefit analysis was first commissioned and when we are likely to have a report?
On the 12th April, 1972, proposals for an establishment within the Naval Service for a hydrographic survey were submitted to the Department of Finance for approval so that the question of the provision of necessary personnel might receive attention. Approval in principle was also sought for the additional steps which would be necessary as soon as the requisite staff for the service had become available.
In subsequent correspondence with the Department of Finance it was agreed that the question of setting up a hyrographic service would be made the subject of a cost/benefit study. The study, which was mentioned by the Minister for Transport and Power at Question Time in the Dáil on 28th March, 1974, was carried out by Mr. R. O'Sullivan of the Department of Defence during 1974 and completed in November, 1974. In the course of the study a visit was paid to the British Admiralty.
Following departmental consideration of Mr. O'Sullivan's report, draft proposals to the Department of Finance for a programme for the setting up of a hyrographic service as part of the Naval Service were circulated on the 5th August, 1975, to the Departments of Transport and Power and Industry and Commerce for observations. The Department of Transport and Power replied on 17th September, 1975, but the Department of Industry and Commerce are still considering the matter. The draft proposals take cognisance of the State's responsibilities in any extended zones, that is, a 200-mile economic zone, which may be agreed at the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea which is to be resumed in New York on the 15th March, 1976.
The International Hydrographic Organisation, which is located in Monaco, was set up in 1921. Its purpose is to advance the science of hydrography and to promote the coordination of the work of the national hydrographic services.
The British Hydrographic Department had, since 1963, engaged in carrying out a hydrographic survey of an extensive area of the North Atlantic to the northwest of Ireland, including certain Irish harbours and coastal waters. Our authorities cooperated with the British in this survey. In 1970 the survey was extended to the south and south-west and an inshore survey of Baltimore Harbour was undertaken. On the 20th April, 1971, while two of the British survey launches were moored at the pier in Baltimore the larger vessel, a 30-foot motor launch, was, to our eternal shame, blown up.
In view of the fact that this type of information is so vital to marine development, would the Minister not agree that it is necessary to get this work under way immediately?
Yes, but the sea is a very big place and the physical act of carrying out a hydrographic survey is a very big undertaking. Co-operation with other nations is extremely necessary and co-operation could further our case much more quickly than if we were on our own. Therefore I would hope we would be able to get whatever information is necessary, particularly for the benefit of our fishermen, as soon as possible, and at this stage I ask the Department of Industry and Commerce if they could speed up their memoranda on what was sent to them.
Can the Minister tell the House if it is the intention of the Government to apply for membership of the IHO?
First of all, I must get the information from the Department of Industry and Commerce, consider it and put it to the Government. Therefore I cannot answer the Deputy's question.