I assume this relates to restrictions which apply on access in the National Library to those sections of Catholic parish registers which are held on microfilm.
In August 1991 the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly gave notice claiming that he and the parish priests of his archdiocese hold copyright of all information entered in those Registers and that legal proceedings could ensue if any person or body, other than Tipperary Heritage Centre, provides a family history service derived from or based on the relevant Registers.
Accordingly, it is currently not possible to allow normal access to the microfilm of these records held in the National Library.
The issue of public access to records of genealogical interest is one of the matters currently under examination by the Heritage Council in the context of its general review of the care, management and access to such material. The report of the Heritage Council is to be completed in the autumn and I do not wish to prejudge any recommendations it may wish to make on such matters.
