Vol. 501 No. 6
65 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will introduce a system of access to interested parties to Land Commission records through the National Archives by way of application per file; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6910/99]
The records in question are the property of the Land Commission records branch which operates as part of the Land Commission and they have not yet been legally transferred to the National Archives.
While the records are being stored in the National Archives premises in Bishop Street, Dublin, the National Archives has no statutory responsibility for access to, or the management of, these records.
The principal reason the arrangements for the legal transfer of these records were not proceeded with to date is that the National Archives did not have sufficient facilities or space to allow the very large quantity of records involved to be stored and accessed properly and in suitable conditions.
However, I am pleased that when the adap tation and extension of the warehouse to the rear of the National Archives building in Bishop Street has been completed, there should be sufficient suitable storage space available. It is likely that the director of the National Archives will then recommend that the arrangements for the transfer have become adequate and that the legal transfer should proceed. The Deputy will recall that I announced the pre-planning stage of this major project for the National Archives building at the end of 1997.
I raised this matter because in the west of Ireland stories are legion concerning the late Micheál Ó Moráin having divided estates with a poker in the ashes of country houses. Perhaps, even the late Éamon de Valera did the same thing. With the Freedom of Information Act the descendants of those who either got land or did not, are in some cases, anxious to know what was recorded for or against them, as the case may be. I know it is an emotional issue.
Is the Land Commission making arrangements so that the legal transfer of these documents could be made simultaneously with the availability of facilities in the National Archives, when that situation is sorted out and sufficient storage space is available? Once the records become the property of the National Archives, will they be available to the general public or to specific personnel operating on request only? Will they be available in the normal way, as applies to planning files, where one can look at a file and take notes of it without taking copies? When does the Minister envisage that might take place?
I understand from an historical point of view the interest there would be in such records. I have outlined to the Deputy the reason the arrangements have not yet been made. The principal reason is that the arrangements for transfer were considered inadequate in 1992. Once there are proper storage and access facilities this information will be made available. Work is progressing on the capital project for the storage of archival records to be located in a redeveloped warehouse building to the rear of the existing premises. It is hoped that physical work on the development may commence by the end of the year 2000. That will give the Deputy some idea of when the buildings will be available for this kind of information.
He is perfectly right in saying a legal hand over must take place. However, I understand from the Land Commission that a legislative order for the dissolution of the Land Commission is being considered at present. A number of things are happening in tandem and when all these matters are drawn together I see no reason there should be any undue delay. It is important that this kind of information should be made available. No doubt, it will be made available in the usual way, as other parts of the archives are.
If it is clearly the intent to have these records transferred to the National Archives, will the Minister confirm if preparatory work is now going on to have them legally transferred from the Land Commission to the National Archives, simultaneous to the facilities becoming available? Will she outline the function of the Land Commission staff? Is there a curator in charge of the land commission files, are they in good condition or are they likely to have disintegrated beyond legibility before being transferred to the National Archives?
I will put the Deputy's mind at rest. The records are being stored in the National Archives premises in Bishop Street. They cannot be accessed due to lack of space. Once we have the space, and I hope to have it by 2000, the information will be made available.
There is no question of the records disintegrating before our eyes. The files are being stored in suitable conditions which unfortunately do not allow the general access that is advisable. The legal position also has to be addressed.
Will it be five years?
Yes.
