asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development (a) when the last hydrographical survey was carried out around the Irish coast and (b) if it is intended to commission such a survey in the near future.

No comprehensive hydrographical survey has been carried out around the Irish coast since the foundation of the State. Our harbours and coastal seas are mapped by about 80 charts, most of which are based on pre-1922 survey data. The question of initiating such a survey is under examination by the National Board for Science and Technology.