Thank you, Chairman. It is proposed that Ireland will accede to the Convention on the International Hydrographic Organisation. As this will involve a charge on the Exchequer for the annual membership fee in the region of €11,000, the approval of Dáil Éireann is required under Article 29.5.2° of Bunreacht na hÉireann. That is the subject of the motion.
The International Hydrographic Organisation is an intergovernmental consultative and technical organisation established by the convention, in effect, to develop and support international activities on hydrography. Hydrography deals with the measurement and description of the features of the seas and coastal areas for the primary purpose of navigation and all other marine activities, including offshore activities, research and the protection of the marine environment.
The convention on the IHO effectively establishes the organisation and sets out its objectives, functions and operating arrangements such as membership, conference of the parties, funding organisations, signature and amendments. The IHO has a consultative and purely technical nature and its objectives are to bring about the following: the co-ordination of activities of national hydrographic offices; the greatest possible uniformity in nautical charts and documents; the adoption of reliable and efficient methods of carrying out and exploiting hydrographic surveys; and the development of the sciences in the field of hydrography and the techniques employed in descriptive oceanography.
The day-to-day work of the IHO includes the following: the development of working relationships between national hydrographic offices; studies relating to hydrography and allied sciences and techniques; supporting the exchange of nautical charts and documents between national offices; encouraging the co-ordination of hydrographic surveys with relevant oceanographic activities; extending and facilitating the application of oceanographic knowledge for the benefit of navigators; and co-operating with international organisations and scientific institutions with related objectives.
In Ireland the Geological Survey Office is currently engaged in gathering data, including hydrographic data, and publishing the findings as part of the Irish national seabed survey. Admiralty charts for Irish waters are currently produced by the UK hydrographic office using data from a variety of sources, including the GSI and the Marine Institute.
The benefits to Ireland of membership of the IHO will include access to technical and administrative expertise to assist in the co-ordination of national hydrographic activities. Ultimately it will ensure the greatest possible uniformity in the production of nautical charts to ensure safe navigation in Irish waters.
I am sure members will agree this is an important and practical objective and will agree to the motion and support Ireland's accession to the Convention on the International Hydrographic Organisation.
