Gay Mitchell
Question:25 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Energy is he will give details of the targets he has set the National Geological Survey Office for updating their maps; and whether a start has been made on that work to date.
Written Answers. - Geological Survey Data.
Paul McGrath
Question:43 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the proportion of our national territory which has been comprehensively geologically surveyed since 1992.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 43 together.
In the period since 1922 the Geological Survey has carried out comprehensive geological surveys of the following proportions of the national territory (including our offshore territory) under various categories as follows:
|
% |
|
|
Onshore Bedrock Geology |
35 |
|
Onshore Unconsolidated Surface Deposits |
20 |
|
Geophysical Surveys (onshore) |
75 |
|
Geochemical Surveys (onshore) |
5 |
|
Groundwater Surveys |
10 |
|
Geological Surveying in Offshore Areas |
3 |
There are many groups other than the Geological Survey involved in geological surveying and mapping including commercial exploration and mining companies and the geology departments of Irish universities. The results of much of this activity are available on open-file in the Geological Survey.
I have recently commissioned and completed a total review of the work of the Geological Survey which has set specific targets for geological map production in the priority areas of the bedrock and unconsolidated deposits. For bedrock mapping the target is a new national geological map at a scale of 1:500,000; full national coverage at 1:100,000 and 40 per cent coverage at 1:25,000 in a seven year programme.
For the mapping of the unconsolidated surface deposits the target is 30 per cent national coverage at 1:25,000 on a seven year programme.
A new Director was appointed to the Geological Survey in February and implementation of the review recommendations and targets has now been initiated under his management. A special budgetary provision has been made in the current year for computerisation of map production to further enhance productivity.