Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 December 2013
184. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will specify the legal basis on which the details of persons' wills are published; if he has any plans to review this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52360/13]
View answerSection 42 of the Succession Act 1965 provides for the deposit and preservation in the Probate Office of documents, including all original wills of which representation is granted in the Probate Office, copies of all wills where the original is kept in district probate registries and such other documents as the President of the High Court may direct. Copies of such documents may be obtained from the Probate Office and the district probate registries on submission of the relevant application form and payment of the required fee. These provisions reflect the long-standing position that wills are public documents and I have no plans, therefore, to change the law in relation to this matter.
