Michael Colreavy
Question:9. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the additional scope of the Tellus project following an increase in funding in this year’s budget. [40391/14]
View answerThursday, 23 October 2014
Questions (9)
Oral answers (5 contributions)
The Tellus project received additional funding in the recently announced budget. I assume there is an expanded scope or coverage of the project. Could the Minister of State describe what is involved in the expanded project?
I thank the Deputy for tabling the question on this exciting project that will be most helpful in terms of the information provided to many sectors and key stakeholders. The Estimates for my Department published as part of budget 2015 include provision of €3 million next year for the Tellus project, which is a comprehensive environmental and resource mapping project being undertaken by the Geological Survey of Ireland. The project has already completed one phase of geological data collection of the rocks, soils and waters in the Border counties, funded by European Regional Development Funds. It is currently undertaking a second phase of geophysical data acquisition and soil sampling across counties Longford, Roscommon and Westmeath. The allocation in 2015 will allow for a further phase of geophysical surveying and soil sampling and analysis to be undertaken. The areas for surveying under this next phase will be based on progress on the existing three midland counties this year, assessment of logistics of terrain to be flown in contiguous areas and consideration of the priorities of other sectoral stakeholders' interests, such as agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency's, EPA, Office of Radiological Protection.
The long-term objective is to complete eventually national coverage of geophysical and geochemical surveying. I understand a cost-benefit analysis by University College Dublin, UCD, demonstrated a 5:1 return on investment to the State for such a comprehensive survey, which of course has to be managed within available resources. Information from this project is freely and openly available to all citizens. I encourage everyone to access the information, including primary schools and secondary schools. It is collected to assist environmental management and support sustainable development of natural resources across Ireland. I am advised that the data collected to date has already proven to have application across many sectors including informing agricultural productivity, radon mapping, mineral exploration and environmental management.
I agree with the Minister of State that the project is worthwhile and the information is useful. I expect the information will be particularly useful to energy companies considering setting up operations in this country. Has private industry provided funding for the project or is it only Government expenditure? Will the data from the project be matched with the survey results on areas considered to be at high risk of potential water contamination in order to inform decision making in the future?
The previous survey was funded through INTERREG in conjunction with the Department. The allocation of €3 million this year is solely from the Department. A broad range of benefactors exist. The organisations that have already been using the information include local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and Teagasc.
Deputy Colreavy mentioned groundwater. The information is invaluable in terms of providing up-to-date information on potential water contamination. Anybody can access the information, including companies, as it is widely and publicly available. The project includes a partnership approach involving organisations such as Teagasc.
I am impressed with the consultative nature of the project. The public was informed about it even before the low-flying aircraft appeared in the skies over Westmeath, Longford and Roscommon. You will be pleased to hear, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, that an information booklet was disseminated in both Irish and English. The consultation has been helpful. If anybody sees an aircraft flying at a height of approximately 90 m with an apparatus suspended approximately 45 m below the aeroplane, that is part of the survey. The information is critical. Information is in the public domain and it is important to work together on the project. The direction in which the project is going has not yet been identified but we will use the information from the current survey on the three counties outlined. Ultimately, the project will form part of a national mapping analysis.
I have no further questions as the Minister of State has answered all my questions.
Written Answers follow Adjournment.