asked the Minister for Energy the progress which has been made on the preparation of documents to be deposited in the National Archives; the portion of the relevant material which has now been examined and could now be placed there; the number of staff engaged on this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - National Archives.
119.
The principal areas within my Department from which archival material could be placed in the National Archives are the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Forestry and Wildlife Service.
In relation to the Geological Survey, archival material comprising mainly geological maps of Ireland and a photographic set of the primary geological maps is now ready for the transfer to the National Archives. Two members of staff are engaged on this work in addition to their normal duties and will remain available for this work when further material is ready for transfer to the National Archives.
With regard to the Forestry and Wildlife Service, when the former Department of Fisheries and Forestry was moving premises in 1980-81, some preliminary work was done in co-operation with an officer from the Public Record Office on identifying material suitable for deposition in the National Archives. However, no documents have yet been deposited.
Two officers were given responsibility for this task in addition to their normal duties but one of them has since retired from the Department. I propose to ask my officials to reactivate the matter and to re-establish liaison with the National Archives Office.
Archival material in the remainder of my Department is minimal. However, steps have been taken to ensure that any documents which may be required to be deposited in the National Archives are preserved.