Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 May 1942

Vol. 86 No. 11

Committee on Finance. - Vote 39—Public Record Office.

Mr. Boland

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £3,503 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha I rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1943, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí Oifig na nAnnálacha Puiblí agus Coimeádaí na Stát-Pháipéar, Baile Atha Cliath (30 agus 31 Vict., c. 70; 38 agus 39 Vict., c. 59, agus 39 agus 40 Vict., c. 58) agus chun Scríbhinní, etc., do cheannach.

That a sum not exceeding £3,503 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1943, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Public Record Office, and of the Keeper of State Papers, Dublin (30 and 31 Vict., c. 70; 38 and 39 Vict., c. 59, and 39 and 40 Vict., c. 58), and for the purchase of Historical Documents, etc.

General MacEoin

Could the Minister give us any indication of how application is to be made by private individuals who are anxious to inspect State papers, the circumstances under which permission is granted or refused when an application is made, what are the arrangements and costs, if any, for the keeper or any other official to accompany a person who wishes to inspect State papers and, in particular, what are the rules, if any, that govern the inspection of the Speaker's Records of the First, Second and Third Dála, both private and public sessions?

Mr. Boland

I think the best thing to do is to write to the keeper of the records and he will indicate the steps to take. Each application will be carefully dealt with. As regards how the records are kept, or what the position is, I could not at the moment tell the Deputy; I would need to inquire into the matter before replying. Permission is usually given when a person writes to the keeper of the records. I never heard of a refusal, so I take it that when people ask to see the records they are granted permission. If not, I will be prepared to deal with the matter. I never heard of a refusal, so I do not think there can be very much difficulty; we are not aware of any difficulty.

General MacEoin

Are there no rules governing this matter? After all, this is a State Vote under which money is paid by the public for the maintenance of a public and, I admit, a very essential office. But there should be some rule by which the public would know when, where and how application can be made. There must be some set of regulations. The registrar or the keeper of the State papers cannot act on his own volition. There must be some method governing what he does. If I want to see State papers tomorrow relating to any particular matter, it should not be within the power of the keeper to say: "Because I do not like the colour of your eyes I will not let you see them." If there are such rules, where are they to be found?

Mr. Boland

There are no rules, so far as I am aware. Some of the papers, as the Deputy will appreciate, may be confidential and they could not be seen.

General MacEoin

Only in our lifetime.

Mr. Boland

A special permit would have to be got for that. It all depends on the particular paper and whether it can be seen. Each application to inspect papers will be dealt with as it arrives.

General MacEoin

Does the Minister not agree that it is a very awkward matter?

Mr. Boland

I must confess I have not paid much attention to that side.

General MacEoin

Will the Minister look into the matter?

Mr. Boland

I shall do so.

Vote put and agreed to.