John Bruton
Question:50 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if a record is kept in his Department of the papers and files removed by former Taoisigh when leaving the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5912/99]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Departmental Documents.
There is no record kept of the actual papers removed by former Taoisigh when leaving the Department. Usually the only papers removed by a Taoiseach on his departure are his constituency papers, personal papers and a copy of his diary. All the other correspondence received during the term of office of a Taoiseach, including letters from Heads of State or Government on official matters, letters from business organisations, the social partners or individuals relating to business matters are registered and retained in the Department.
What is the practice in regard to current Governments going through the papers of previous officeholders?
In terms of access there are no difficulties.
I did not do it, though some of Deputy Bruton's colleagues did.
I thought nobody was allowed to do it.
If a former Government Minister requires access to his own papers, he is entitled to it.
That is fine and I understand it. There is a mixed record on this matter. I was a junior member of a Government in the mid- 1970s, and I remember a Minister in that Government quoting from the papers of a previous Minister who was a member of the Taoiseach's party. I thought it was wrong for him to do that. Will the Taoiseach clarify that the practice of going back through the files of previous Governments is not appropriate? It should not be on a partisan basis; it should be available to all or to nobody.
I will get this clarified, but I understand that all a Minister can do is to check back through papers relevant to something raised about him or herself.
I am referring to the present Government going back through the papers of previous Governments.
The only reason the Government would do that would be to check some file for which it was looking. The Government does not go back through the papers of previous Administrations unless they are dealing with an issue.