Vol. 207 No. 2
asked the Minister for Education for which of the following countries his Department's Library have got examination papers for secondary schools, or their equivalent level: France, Germany Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Scotland, North of Ireland, England and Wales; and if he will indicate the years for which such papers are available.
127.
asked the Minister for Education the total number of volumes at present in the Department Research Library established in 1951, and the total Library staff employed full-time there.
128.
asked the Minister for Education whether the facilities of the Department Library are available to members of the public, including members of the Houses of the Oireachtas who may wish to avail themselves of them.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 126, 127, and 128 together.
The library set up in my Department in 1951 is a departmental reference library staffed by an officer of the Department. As such it is intended only for the use of the staff of the Department. It contains several thousand volumes.
We have a standing arrangement with most countries of Western Europe for regular exchange of educational documentation.
Did the Minister answer Question No. 128? Are facilities available to members of the Oireachtas?
It is implied.
I know it is implied, but I should like it to be expressed.
That is what I meant by "... it is intended only for the use of the staff of the Department."
So the answer is no. I want to get it clear.
