Madam, – I would like to clarify the position in relation to the points raised by David Walsh (August 6th).
Mr Walsh indicated that Ordnance Survey Ireland and Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland (now Land Property Services) are “jointly scrapping” the 1:50,000 Discovery Series Irish National Grid in favour of a new system called the Irish Transverse Mercator.
I would like to point out that this matter is the subject of an extensive consultation process which commenced some time ago and which invited the views of the very diverse range of users of the Discovery Series. This included representatives from the hill walking community, the emergency/rescue services, the Garda Síochána and the National Roads Authority.
The analysis of this consultation process is underway and it is expected that an outcome on this matter will be arrived at in the coming weeks. The organisation’s website (www.osi.ie) will advise of any changes in this regard.
The issue raised by Mr Walsh in relation to the mapping depiction of the shallow seawater depths is also being considered by OSI in the context of the overall review of the Discovery Series. – Yours, etc,
GERARD KENNEDY,
Corporate Services Manager,
Ordnance Survey Ireland,
Phoenix Park,
Dublin 8.