Vol. 488 No. 2
107 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will provide, in draft format if final format is not available, a copy of the GSI groundwater protection schemes for counties Wicklow and Meath and Fingal. [5999/98]
Groundwater protection schemes constitute reports with maps which are prepared for local authorities by the geological survey of Ireland (GSI) of my Department. The scheme for County Wicklow will be completed shortly and a draft will then be sent to Wicklow County Council for review.
The Meath scheme has been available in draft form for about a year and a half. GSI recently received the Council's comments on the report and is working on a revised version. Copies of the draft report and maps can be consulted in the GSI.
In 1979 a scheme was drawn up for County Dublin. This was the first such scheme prepared by GSI. The scheme predates the generic scheme currently used by GSI and endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Environment and Local Government; it does not use the most recent geological mapping. It is, therefore, out of date in several ways. It is available for consultation in GSI. GSI has not been approached by Fingal County Council to produce a scheme and, therefore, has no plans to do so.
Groundwater protection schemes contain a number of coloured maps which are printed individually. The maps are available for consultation by customers at a cost of £5 per sheet. The cost of supplying each map is £25. The suite of maps for the Meath scheme contains 14 sheets. Separate charges apply for supplying copies of reports and the provision of advisory services. Arrangements for consultation or the supply of maps can be made with the Groundwater Section in GSI at Beggars Bush, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, telephone 6041487/8, fax 6681782.
