The Geological Survey of Ireland (Irish: Suirbhéireacht Gheolaíochta Éireann), GSI, was founded in 1845. It is the National Earth Science Agency of Ireland.
Overview
It is part of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. It is based in Beggars Bush Barracks in Dublin. Its multidisciplinary staff work in sections such as Groundwater, Land Mapping consists of Bedrock and Quaternary/Geotechnical, Information Management, Heritage, Marine and Minerals. The GSI is responsible for providing geological advice and information, and for the acquisition of data for this purpose. GSI produces a range of products including maps, reports and databases and acts as a knowledge centre and project partner in all aspects of Irish geology.
The organisation is internationally known for its work in marine mapping, having managed the Irish National Seabed Survey (INSS, 1999–2005), which on completion was the world's largest civilian marine mapping programme. The INSS mapped all of Ireland's waters over 200 m deep, principally in support of territorial claim, and covering over 600,000 km2. Since 2006 GSI has managed the successor programme INFOMAR (Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland's Marine Resources), which is completing the mapping of all Irish waters. INFOMAR is funded by the GSI parent Department and undertaken in conjunction with the Marine Institute Ireland.