Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Landslide Research.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 April 2005

Wednesday, 27 April 2005

Ceisteanna (162)

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

192 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has plans to provide the Geological Survey of Ireland with additional sponsorship to enable students to research and study slides (details supplied) and to develop a better understanding of the cause, the mechanism and the risk of these slides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13666/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following the occurrence of landslides at Pollatomish, County Mayo, and Derrybrien, County Galway, the Geological Survey of Ireland, GSI, established a national landslides working group in 2004 to collate information and examine the causes of landslides throughout the island of Ireland. The working group draws its members from the State and third level sectors in the Republic and Northern Ireland. It is multidisciplinary and includes expertise on geology, geomorphology, engineering, planning, climatology and geographic information systems.

The working group is building a national database of post-landslide events and it expects to publish its findings later this year. The working group also facilitates research into landslides, with several postgraduate projects already underway. The GSI is currently undertaking a pilot study of landslide susceptibility mapping in the uplands of Counties Leitrim and Sligo. This mapping could assist in formulating planning guidance for local authorities with regard to landslide hazards and the pilot study will assess its effectiveness under Irish conditions. It is expected that proposals will emerge from the working group for deepened research into the causes of these landslides and their associated risks. I am examining all options to ensure the GSI will develop a full understanding of these phenomena.

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