Vol. 513 No. 3
77 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to provide additional resources for the National Archives to enable it to recruit additional staff and provide a better service having regard to the important function of the archive and the fact that important files due for release on 1 January 2000 were temporarily mislaid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2321/00]
The Minister is acutely aware of the need for extra staff resources for the National Archives and officials of the Department are examining proposals received from the Director of the National Archives in this regard, particularly since this necessitates an increase in the agreed core staff numbers for the Department. The proposals are being discussed with the director at present and the Minister hopes to be in a position to respond to them at an early date.
I welcome that response. The situation is being examined. The academics who use the National Archives speak of its professionalism and efficiency, but the incident which happened over Christmas is symptomatic of a number of things regarding the annual intake of files. Some files come years in advance, so in this review, is the Minister examining the area of additional space and the possibility of a system which will make the material more accessible? Obviously cross-referencing must be becoming a greater problem. For example, the Northern Ireland aspect of Government policy reaches into many Departments. Is it envisaged that such a link would be part of the new package coming from the director?
The specific incident after Christmas proved that people rush to form conspiracy theories whereas we know that the file was mislaid. While it was found quickly, it afforded embarrassing opportunities for people to run wild with all types of grandiose conspiracy theories as to what happened. The reality was much more mundane.
I wish to defend, as Deputy Kenny did, the integrity and professionalism of the staff of the National Archives who have in place new procedures to ensure adequate early warning where records have been accidentally omitted for consideration for release. That is a huge task in terms of the amount of records involved. Towards the end of 1997 the Department of Finance granted sanction in principle – a £30 million budget – to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands for the adaptation of the National Archives' Bishop Street premises to provide extra storage. While the Department was carrying out the design of the project, at the request of Dublin Corporation suggestions were made for the provision of better facilities than those initially proposed. These suggestions are being looked at.
The provision of adequate facilities and staff is absolutely vital to the National Archives. Members can rest assured that the Minister will do all in her power to ensure the National Archives' requirements are met as quickly as possible. Former Ministers will be aware of how tortuous it can be to make achievements in Government. I am sure Members understand that the Minister's best endeavours will take time.
There is one aspect about the incident at Christmas with which I am concerned. Even though the files had been received from the Department of the Taoiseach some four years previously, when retrieved they had to be examined by staff of that Department to check whether any material should not be released. Should files not be scrutinised at the time of receipt so that the difficulty of having to examine them when time is of the essence does not arise?
The question of whether files are examined on receipt or release does not rise. The file in question was mislaid. The only reason there was such interest in the matter was that the conspiracy theorists immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion. The incident would not have been noticed had it related to any other file. Adequate procedures are in place to ensure that all files can be released on the date requested subject to the necessary clearances and I do not think any further difficulties will arise.
