asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether a comprehensive hydrographic survey of Irish coastal waters is under consideration; whether he is aware that present coastal charts are based on surveys carried out 130 years ago; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Hydrographic Survey.
34.
I am aware that some Irish coastal charts are based on surveys carried out up to 130 years ago but corrections and additions have been made periodically up to the present time particularly in the charts of the approaches to our principal ports. A comprehensive hydrographic survey of Irish coastal waters must await the establishment of an Irish hydrographic service. As I have already said in reply to similar questions on 29th October, 1970, the question of the establishment of an Irish hydrographic service is one for the Minister for Defence, who I understand has the matter under consideration.
The Minister has said that the Minister for Defence has the matter under consideration. Does it also come under his Department, or does this consideration merely mean that the Department of Defence will have further discussions with the British Ministry of Defence to see whether we can borrow one or two ships from them in order that we might continue the survey which was so unfortunately terminated in Bantry recently.
This is an irrelevancy——
I hope it is not.
The main survey I am concerned with is one connected with the important ports dealing with imports and exports. Full hydrographic surveys of the entrances and exits of our ports concerned with importing and exporting and passenger traffic have been made.
Would the Minister agree it is a unique state of affairs to find a coastal state in the second half of the twentieth century with no hydrographic survey having been done for over 130 years? All the Minister for Transport and Power can say is that he understands the Minister for Defence is doing a bits and pieces survey.
We have done detailed surveys on ports that count so far as our imports and exports are concerned. I do not want to deal with academic details.
Deputy Donegan will tell the Minister they are not academic details.