Michael Finucane
Question:74 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to undertake a study to properly delineate the Irish Sea bed. [7910/00]
Written Answers. - Geological Surveys.
In April 1999 the Government provided funding of £20.7 million for a comprehensive survey of the Irish seabed area. This will be undertaken over a period of seven years and will be managed by the Geological Survey of Ireland, an agency of my Department.
This is the first such survey ever undertaken on the Irish seabed, which has an area about ten times that of our land area. It will map out the bathymetry of the seabed in detail and provide valuable information on the nature of the seabed itself, as well as its underlying rocks. The results of the survey will be used by a wide range of maritime interests, including fisheries, hydrocarbons, aggregates, engineering and coastal zone management.
Planning is at an advanced stage and it is expected that the survey will commence this year. The survey is being undertaken in collaboration with the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources and a number of interested parties, including the Marine Institute.