Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 November 2020
96. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the status of the Retention of Records Bill 2019; her Department's proposals to re-examine the proposed legislation; the way in which this legislation will deal with the case records and testimonies of those who gave statements to both the Ryan report and the redress board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38902/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the main purpose of the Retention of Records Bill 2019 was to ensure the preservation of the records gathered by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA) and the Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB), which would, otherwise, in accordance with the relevant legislation, be required to be destroyed upon the winding up of those bodies. While the Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the last Dáil in January 2020, I remain committed to ensuring that these important records are preserved. However, I am also keenly aware that a number of survivors, and other stakeholders, have concerns about the Bill, in particular regarding the proposal that the records concerned be sealed for a period of 75 years. My Department is examining how best to address the concerns of stakeholders while also respecting the constitutional rights of all concerned.
