Vol. 440 No. 2
112 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the number of documents withheld from the national archives by his Department since the National Archives Act; the reason documents were withheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
To date, my Department has not withheld any documents from the National Archives.
113 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the number of documents withheld from the national archives by his Department since the National Archives Act; the reason documents were withheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
During the period 1991-92, 36 documents were withheld by my Department (at that time Roinn na Gaeltachta) under section 8 (4) of the National Archives Act, 1986.
One case was withheld because, as the relevant certificate stated, to make it available for public inspection "would be contrary to the public interest". The remainder, the vast majority of which dealt with personnel matters, were certified because their publication "would or might cause distress or danger to living persons on the ground that they contain information about individuals, or would or might be likely to lead to an action for damages for defamation".
No files are being withheld from the consignment currently being prepared for release to the national archives.
114 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health the number of documents withheld from the national archives by his Department since the National Archives Act; the reason documents were withheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department has certified 1,366 files for retention under section 8 (4) (c) of the National Archives Act 1986.
In addition, in accordance with an Order made under section 8 (11) of the Act, personnel and pension case files and related records, concerning individual civil and public servants are withheld.
