Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I support this amendment. However, I ask the Minister of State to consider a final point. The last survey of Lough Ree and Lough Derg in the River Shannon was taken in 1847. I have never seen a survey of Lough Allen. The survey of Lough Ree and Lough Derg was done by the British Admiralty and is surprisingly accurate. However it is no longer useful for modern use. It would be worthwhile for safety reasons if the Department took the opportunity to have a new survey done of the lakes in the Shannon.

I suggest the department of oceanography in NUI Galway could do the survey. It is not satisfactory to be using charts prepared in 1840. Some of the towns such as Dromineer are not marked and towns and villages on the Shannon are not mentioned as ports in that survey. Two years ago I personally tested some of the depth readings and the charts were surprisingly accurate. The eastern side of Lough Derg, which will be very well known to the Leas-Chathaoirleach, has not been very well surveyed. It contains rocks, shallows and shoals which could be marked on a new chart. I ask the Minister of State to consider a survey of both lakes in order to create a new chart. Some of the oldest sailing clubs in Europe are based on Lough Ree and they have a lot to offer.