2 Apr 2015, 13:50
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht today published its Report on ‘Maximising our Cultural and Genealogical Heritage.’
2nd April 2015
The report, authored by Deputy Catherine Murphy, TD, makes 37 recommendations around establishing a first-class system of genealogical research opportunities for Ireland.
The report outlines submissions made to the Committee during a series of hearings and makes key policy recommendations on maximising the opportunities available around the availability and accessibility of genealogical and cultural records.
Some of the report’s recommendations include:
• Exploring the possibility of establishing a National Diaspora and Genealogy Centre, which would act as a central information point for researchers.
• Appointing a Chief State Genealogical Officer as a matter of urgency.
• Maintaining and improving local research facilities needs to be a priority.
• Genealogical records should be made available across multiple platforms in order to ensure ease of access.
• Church records held by the National Library should be indexed and digitised as a matter of urgency.
• The Government and the Catholic Church should engage with one another to discuss making the National Library’s later 20th and 21st century records available to researchers.
• Staffing levels in our cultural institutions should be brought to acceptable levels.
• Ireland should aim to become the European centre for genealogical industry, thus creating employment as well as investing in our cultural institutions.
Committee Chair, Michael McCarthy, TD, said: “Today the world is more globalized and interconnected than ever before. For this reason, it is vital that we, as legislators, remain cognisant of the importance of our cultural and historical ties. “
“It is the Committee’s hope that this report encourages people, both at home and abroad, to engage with Irish cultural and genealogical resources. We believe that the 37 recommendations contained in the report can assist in supporting genealogical innovation and research in Ireland.”
“The Committee would like to thank all those who appeared before us during the course of our hearings and we would encourage the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to consider this report and its recommendations carefully for future genealogy policy.”
Deputy Catherine Murphy, TD, acted as the Rapporteur for the Committee in the production of this report. Deputy Murphy says: “This report follows a significant consultation process between the committee members and a wide cross section of representatives from interested parties within the cultural & genealogical sector.”
“One of the fundamental points within the report is that public records must be seen as public goods and we should therefore be making them more easily available by simplifying access for the end user – whether that person chooses to pursue their research alone or through a commercial entity.”
“One point that was universally raised from all sides of the debate, and which is emphasised in this report, is the urgent need for investment in our cultural institutions and that will be critical if we are to maximise our cultural and genealogical heritage.”
View Report on Maximising our Cultural and Genealogical Heritage
Ends
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Committee Membership:
Chairman: Michael McCarthy TD (Labour)
Deputies:
Mr James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Mr Noel Coonan TD (Fine Gael)[Leas-Chathaoirleach]; Ms Ruth Coppinger TD (Socialist Party); Ms Helen McEntee TD (Fine Gael); Mr Barry Cowen TD (Fianna Fáil); Mr Robert Dowds TD (Labour); Mr Eamonn Maloney TD (Labour); Mr Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Ms Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Ms Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Mr Fergus O’Dowd TD (Fine Gael); Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD Uasal (Fianna Fáil); Mr Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin); Mr Peadar Tóibín TD Uasal (Sinn Féin)
Senators:
Senator Terry Brennan (Fine Gael); Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael); Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil); Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil)