Fit for purpose

'The INfrastructure for SPatial InfoRmation in Europe initiative (INSPIRE) aims at making available relevant, harmonised and quality geographic information for the purpose of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Community policy-making.'

Sounds logical to me. There must be some kind of data standard throughout Europe to allow harmonisation of this data across borders. The principles in INSPIRe also appear to be logical and sensible, namely -
'Data should be collected once and maintained at the level where this can be done most effectively
It should be possible to combine seamlessly spatial data from different sources and share it between many users and applications
Spatial data should be collected at one level of government and shared between all levels
Spatial data needed for good governance should be available on conditions that are not restricting its extensive use
It should be easy to discover which spatial data is available, to evaluate its fitness for purpose and to know which conditions apply for its use. '

And now there is an agreed text which will now go for ratification to the Parliament and Council of Ministers.

The ramifications are beyond me at present. Others will no doubt comment on this and I shall bring you their thoughts in due course. But if the Directive makes geographical data fit for purpose, then this is to be welcomed.