asked the Minister for Education his policy in relation to the Irish Manuscripts Commission; and if he will identify the medium and long-term problems affecting the work of the Commission.
Written Answers. - Irish Manuscripts Commission.
214.
Policy in relation to the Irish Manuscripts Commission is indicated in their terms of reference as follows:
1. To report on the nature, extent and importance of existing collections of manuscripts and papers of literary, historical and general interest relating to Ireland, and, on the places in which such manuscripts and papers are deposited, and to advise as to the steps which should be taken for the preservation and publication of such manuscripts and papers whether in public collections or in private owner-ship, and for the collection of any such manuscripts and papers as may be in danger of being lost or obliterated.
2. To prepare, after such consultation with university authorities and other learned bodies as the commission may deem desirable, and submit from time to time, for approval, to the Minister for Education, and, subject to such approval, to arrange for and supervise the execution of programmes of work to be undertaken in
(a) the preparation and publication of calendars and catalogues of such manuscripts and papers,
(b) the editing and publication of hitherto unpublished texts in Old Irish, Middle Irish and Modern, other than contemporary, Irish, and of other hitherto unpublished manuscripts relating to Ireland, due regard being had to their relative linguistic, literary and historical importance.
(c) the publication of photographic facsimiles of important codices, in particular of those in the possession of institutions or individuals outside Saorstát Éireann.
(d) the revision and republication of important works already published but now out of print or difficult of access.
The Commission have identified their main problem as that of resumption of their printing programme following the liquidation of the publishing company with which they had a five-year agreement.