Jimmy Deenihan
Question:35 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance if 1:50,000 topographical maps will be made available from the Ordnance Survey for tourists visiting Ireland for activity holidays.
Written Answers. - Ordnance Survey Maps.
Arising out of a recent review of the operations of the Ordnance survey, I directed that a new 1:50,000 tourist map series should be produced as a matter of urgency. Maps on this scale are the standard local tourist map in most countries but our existing small-scale mapping is extremely old and does not meet the demands of the market. This is a matter of considerable concern as the product is an essential tool for walking and rambling holidays, a segment of the tourist market which generates some £60 million revenue a year. The non-availability of up-to-date 1:50,000 maps would impede the achievement of the ambitious targets set by the Government for the tourist industry.
There are 71 map sheets in the series covering the Twenty-six counties. To date three preliminary sheets (for Kenmare, the Slieve Blooms and Wicklow) and one definitive sheet (The McGillycuddy Reeks) have been published. It is expected that a further four sheets will be published in 1991 (the Derrynasaggart Mountains, the Dingle Peninsula, Ben Bulben and South Sligo). When the programme reaches full production an average of ten sheets per annum will be produced. The programme should be completed in about seven years.