Consult with Geological Survey Ireland

Our Input

Information is available on geological heritage sites, bedrock geology including structural data (faults), soils including soil geochemistry, landslides, groundwater, flood risk, mineral deposits, aggregate resources, coastal vulnerability, Quaternary and the Irish seabed.  Quaternary refers to the current glaciated landscape of Ireland and is useful in identifying landscape characteristics.  The section on geological heritage is useful for general planning and also for the general heritage sections.

Our available information comprises maps, reports and extensive databases such as site investigation reports and geotechnical data, borehole logs, karst features, wells & springs, 3D modelling and geohazards.

We recommend using these various datasets when undergoing the EIAR, planning and scoping processes. Geological Survey Ireland should be referenced to as such and should any data or geological maps be used, they should be attributed correctly to Geological Survey Ireland.

As a division of a statutory body, we act as consultee on County Development and County Heritage Plans, planning related to wind or solar farms, roads and quarries, or any proposed development that may involve a County Geological Sites.

Our role, as a division of a statutory body, to respond to planning consultations is coordinated by the Geoscience for Planning Programme at Geological Survey Ireland.  Planning documents for our consideration may be sent directly to us at GSIPlanning[AT]gsi.ie, to the Planning Advisory Unit of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment ​ at PlanningNotifications[AT]dcee.gov.ie.​ or by post to Geological Survey Ireland, Tom Johnson House, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, D04 K7X4, Ireland. Please contact us for further information.

Statutory Consultee

As a division of a statutory body, Geological Survey Ireland provides observations and data regarding projects, plans and programmes at various stages in the planning process, in the context of statutory consultation, referrals to Geological Survey Ireland, and pre-application consultations. This includes calls for information and comments on Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA), Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAR), Planning Applications, and County Development Plans, particularly in relation to roads, wind and solar farms, and quarries, or if a potential development would adversely affect a site of geological importance or groundwater source. We can provide guidance on the use of our data. 

The Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) sets out the instances in which prescribed bodies should be consulted with. ‘Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources’ is a prescribed authority under several sections of the Planning and Development Act, these being Sections 11, 12, 13, 24, 37D(2)(a), 181C(3), 182E(3) and 210 (3)(b)(iii).

Geological Survey Ireland can be consulted at all stages of the process, and will often work alongside planning authorities through the initial scoping stage until the final application is under consideration.

Statutory Obligations

There is no statutory obligation for Geological Survey Ireland to respond to a statutory consultation. However, we will endeavour to respond to your consultation where possible and within our resources available.

The publicly available data referenced or presented in this manner, should in no way be construed as Geological Survey Ireland support for, or objection to, the proposed development or plan. The data is made freely available to all and can be used as independent scientific data in assessments, plans or policies. It should be noted that in many cases this data is a baseline or starting point for further site specific assessments.

If you do not receive a response from us it is not an indication that we have no relevant data available for your assessment and we would encourage you to visit the remaining sections of our website to access any such data.