Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 4

Written Answers. - Transfer of Records Branch.

John Bruton

Question:

48 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when the decision was made to transfer the records/survey branch of the Land Commission from 23 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2 to the National Archives in Bishop Street, Dublin 8; when the decision was taken to close the records branch to facilitate this move; when the closure took place; when the records branch will open; the length of time originally planned for the closure, and length of time that the closure is now likely to operate; and the measures, if any, which will be taken to facilitate members of the public who are severely inconvenienced by the closure of this office.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

The decision to transfer the Records/Survey Branch of the Land Commission from 23 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2 to the National Archives, Bishop Street, Dublin 8 was taken by the Office of Public Works. My Department was advised of their decision on 18 July 1991.

In order to facilitate the move, a decision was taken on 29 July 1992 to close down Records Branch for three months from 17 August 1992. The branch was back in operation shortly after the expiry date and the backlog of work has been cleared.