asked the Minister for Defence if any studies or a cost/benefit analysis of hydrographic survey work in Ireland has been undertaken by his Department since this function was assigned to the naval service in 1963; if so, if he will give the conclusions of such studies, the steps taken to provide equipment, trained personnel, and facilities for the naval service to carry out this function; the hydrographic survey tasks carried out to date, or the steps taken to update charts which in most cases were prepared in the last century; and if he has satisfied himself with the progress to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hydrographic Survey.
5.
My Department undertook a study in 1974 to review the benefits to be derived from providing additional hydrographic data for Irish waters and to estimate the associated costs. The study revealed that the benefits were not quantifiable. The costs, at that time, of establishing a hydrographic service were estimated at £1.36 million in capital expenditure and £76,000 a year in running expenses.
In 1975, the Organisation for European Co-operation and Development published a searching review in relation to Marine Resource Development in Ireland, in which it was recommended that a National Institute of Oceanography with two major components—one for hydrography and Oceanography and one for pollution research—should be established. The National Board for Science and Technology, to whom consideration of the wider issues in the OECD report has been referred, now has the question of the future development of hydrography plans under examiniation.
In recent years, all available resources of the Naval Service have been required for the expanded fishery protection task. Nevertheless, the service, in common with other users of the Irish waters, continues to report information of importance from time to time for the updating of charts.
Is the Minister satisfied with the progress of this survey assigned to the Naval Service in 1963? Would he give some indications as to the progress made in relation to the duties assigned to the Naval Service?
As mentioned in my reply, following on the OECD review, certain recommendations were made and the National Board for Science and Technology have the main function in this area now. The Navy contribute as much as they can to the information but are not mainly concerned with the question.
Question No. 6, please.
Would the Minister accept that we had not the equipment necessary to carry out the survey and that nothing has been done since these functions were assigned?
That is not now specifically a function of the Navy.
It was a function.
Certain work was carried out.
What work?
The Navy, when capable of providing certain information, provided it, but, as I say, it is not now specifically a matter for the Navy. The Navy does co-operate in the matter.
Is it true——
Deputy Creed, please.
——that we do not have the equipment or the trained personnel and that it was a joke? We were not able to deal with the duties assigned to the Navy.
I do not accept that.
Due to the lack of trained personnel.
I do not accept that.