asked the Minister for Justice if he will improve the arrangements for examination of records in the probate office so that persons wishing to examine wills and grants, particularly ones issued within 12 months, will not be required to leave the office and attend on a subsequent date to make the necessary examinations; and, if not, why.
Written Answer. - Probate Office Records.
165.
I have been informed by the probate officer that he is not aware of any dissatisfaction with the existing arrangements in the probate office and I accept his assurance.
Records of grants of probate, administration with will annexed and administration intestate covering a twenty year period are kept in the probate office and are available for inspection at the time of request. Original wills and other papers leading to grants are held in the probate office for approximately five weeks following the grant and are available immediately for inspection there during that period. They are then, for greater safety, removed to a strongroom in the basement of the Four Courts.
When notice, which may be by telephone, is given, a paper will be brought from the strongroom for inspection and copying thereby eliminating the need for more than one visit to the probate office. In urgent cases, the papers are, in any case, brought from the strongroom while the applicant waits. I think that this is a reasonable arrangement.