The Government has created an online portal that will allow the public to search multiple spatial databases for geographic mapping data held by a number of different departments.
The Irish Spatial Data Exchange (ISDE) will operate as an inter-departmental and cross-agency online service that will allow the public to search multiple databases.
It will also be a vital service for the construction industry, geologists, students, archaeologists, researchers and businesspeople alike.
“The Irish Spatial Data Exchange will be a common portal to the vast and overlapping databases of numerous organisations, and will allow individuals to locate data quickly and easily,” said Minister of State, Sean Power TD.
The ISDE is a multi-agency initiative by the Marine Institute; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Geological Survey of Ireland; Exploration and Mining Division and Petroleum Affairs Division of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; the National Parks and Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government; and the Coastal Marine Research Centre of University College Cork.
“It is a fine example of the efficiencies of e-government projects, it will avoid duplication and, crucially, it will save money,” said Minister Power.
Minister Power encourages all those involved in, and who have an interest in the geographical and environmental sectors, to take advantage of the wide range of information the site offers.
By John Kennedy
