Dr. Mark Mellett:

It is a question with which I am struggling because there are diverse data sets. The State expended significantly on the Irish national seabed survey. The follow-on in INFOMAR, led by the Marine Institute in Geological Survey of Ireland, is another significant data set. When you look at the data sets required to inform decisions required in designation, there is additionality in some cases. That is part of the designated maritime area plan, DMAP, process to get an additionality in data. I noticed, as part of the DMAP process, a request to data custodians, public or private, to make those data sets available to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, I think. I think the Cathaoirleach made a key point that there needs to be a centralised repository of data relating to the marine. That will ultimately inform better decision-making for the State and utilisation of the resource. I take his point. Right now, we are not arresting that as MARA's function but in due course we will look actively at the issue. Ms Brien may wish to comment.