WE WILL ADMIT that we had to call the Department of Justice to ensure that the statement reproduced below was genuine.
The Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, says he has made arrangements that Apple be immediately informed of an error in the maps application in the latest version of the iPhone and iPad operating system – which incorrectly locates an airport in South Dublin.
As we noted last night, the new Apple Maps software – which replaces the Google Maps app that had previously been installed by default on all iPad and iPhone devices – takes an unfortunately literal interpretation of the placename ‘Airfield Park’.
“There are a variety of possible alternative images that could be utilised such a cow, a goat, a sheep, a flower or any indeed other type of plant as Airfield operates a nursery,” Shatter says in the statement, which is reproduced in full below.
An aircraft is an entirely inappropriate flight of imagination.
The 35-acre estate, which is currently closed for renovation, is incorrectly attributed as if it was an actual airport.
Shatter – whose Dublin South constituency includes the erroneous airport – says the designation poses a major safety concern, as the Apple Maps app could be used by pilots who are unfamiliar with the area in the case of emergency.
Given that the area houses a fully-functioning farm, the minister has some other icons which could be better used.
Here’s the statement in full:
I want to acknowledge the value of online map applications and the assistance they give to the general public. I know on occasion mistakes can be made and I am surprised to discover that Airfield, which is in the centre of my constituency in Dundrum, has, in Apple’s new operating system iOS 6 maps application, been designated with the image of an aircraft. Airfield, a 35 acre estate with working farm, formal gardens and café is of course a famous and immensely popular, important local amenity. Clearly the designation is not only wrong but is dangerously misleading in that it could result in a pilot, unfamiliar with the area, in an emergency situation and without other available information, attempting a landing. I have arranged that Apple be informed of the error and requested that it be urgently corrected. In context of Airfield there are a variety of possible alternative images that could be utilised such a cow, a goat, a sheep, a flower or any indeed other type of plant as Airfield operates a nursery. An aircraft is an entirely inappropriate flight of imagination.
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