Rory O'Hanlon
Question:142 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself with the accuracy of aerial mapping of the Drumlin countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11120/97]
Written Answers. - Aerial Mapping.
I am satisfied that the aerial maps which issued to farmers this year for use in completing their 1997 area aid applications are accurate reflections of the positions shown on the maps submitted by farmers in earlier years and that there is no particular problem relating to drumlin areas. The land parcels shown on those maps submitted by farmers were validated against aerial photography taken in early 1995 which was orthorectified subsequently so as to accurately overlay Ireland's national grid. My Department and Ordnance Survey co-operated fully to ensure satisfactory quality control over this task.
One cannot guarantee absolute up-to-date accuracy of any mapping system, however. Changes in roads, rivers, building sites, land parcels, crops sown etc. may have taken place between 1995, when these aerial photographs were taken and 1997 — and the accuracy of the maps my Department issues in any particular year depends to a large extent on the accuracy of the information provided to us by farmers in previous years. This is why in a letter accompanying each set of maps issued, my Department has asked farmers to make any corrections necessary on those maps and return them with their 1997 area aid applications as amended correspondingly.