An independent study has valued the benefits of the state’s marine mapping programme (INFOMAR) at €275 million. This is more than four times what will be spent completing the whole “INFOMAR” programme. This is one of the largest science projects ever undertaken in Ireland and, in an excellent example of co-operation between state bodies, it is being jointly managed by the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and the Marine Institute (MI). See www.infomar.ie for details