Vol. 861 No. 1
92. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an mbeidh foráil nua i mBille na dTeangacha Oifigúla (Leasú) 2014 chun go mbeidh 10% ar a laghad de na fostaithe sa státseirbhís in ann cumarsáid shásúil a dhéanamh leis an bpobal trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [46788/14]
Gabhann an cheist seo le Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2014 agus an riachtanas ann go mbeadh 10%, ar a laghad, de na fostaithe sa Státseirbhíse in ann cumarsáid shásúil a dhéanamh leis an bpobal trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá imní ar a lán daoine nach mbeidh siad in ann a gcuid ghnó a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge. An ndéanfaidh an tAire Stáit aon rud maidir leis an scéal seo?
Mar is eol don Teachta, rinneadh athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 i gcomhréir leis an ghealltanas a tugadh i gClár an Rialtais 2011-2016. Mar thoradh ar an athbhreithniú sin, d'fhoilsigh mo Roinn cinn Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2014 i mí Aibreáin seo a chuaigh thart. Déantar foráil i gceann a sé den Bhille beartaithe go gcuirfear fo-alt nua isteach san Acht chun na poist i gcomhlachtaí poiblí a bhfuil riachtanas inniúlachta Gaeilge ag gabháil leo a shonrú i scéimeanna teanga. Eascraíonn an leasú sin as cinneadh Rialtais an 30 Deireadh Fómhair 2013 i ndáil le deireadh a chur le marcanna bónais a bhronnadh as oilteacht Ghaeilge in earcaíocht agus comórtais ardaithe céime na Státseirbhís agus córas nua bunaithe ar inniúlacht a chur ina áit. Is í an aidhm atá leis an chóras nua ná an líon d'oifigeach le Gaeilge sa Státseirbhís a mhéadú. Ina theannta sin, ní miste a nótáil go sonrófar i bpleananna fórsa oibre Ranna agus oifigí Rialtais amach anseo na poist-réimsí oibre ina mbeidh gá le baill foirne atá in ann feidhmiú sa dá theanga oifigiúla. Ag féachaint do chur i bhfeidhm Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, iarrtar ar Ranna aird ar leith a thabhairt ar phoist atá lonnaithe i gceantair Ghaeltachta nó ag freastal ar na ceantair sin.
Tuigtear dom go bhfuil sé i gceist triail a bhaint as na socruithe nua earcaíochta sa chomórtas d’Oifigigh Cléireachais atá ar siúl faoi láthair ag an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí. Tá sé beartaithe go mbunófar fo-phainéal d'oifigigh le Gaeilge, a dhéanfaidh suas céatadán suas le 6% den phainéal foriomlán d'Oifigigh Cléireachais. Ní mór do na hiarrthóirí a cheapfar ón phainéal seo a bheith in ann raon iomlán seirbhísí a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge.
Ní miste a chur in iúl chomh maith go n-éilítear ar chomhlachtaí poiblí, de réir alt 13(d) d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, agus scéimeanna teanga á n-ullmhú acu, a chinntiú go gcomhlíontar na riachtanais Ghaeilge faoi leith a bhaineann le seirbhísí a sholáthar sa Ghaeltacht.
Is é seo an chéad uair a bhfuair mé na ceisteanna roimh an tráth na gceist. Labhair an tAire Stáit ar an athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla. Is í an aidhm atá ag an gcóras nua ná an líon daoine in ann feidhmiú go dátheangach sa Státseirbhíse a mhéadú. Is maith an aidhm í sin. Mar a dúirt mé, tá daoine ann agus iad ag iarraidh a gcuid ghnó a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge. Luaigh an tAire Stáit painéal d'oifigigh cléireachais agus luaigh sé figiúir de 6%. An dóigh leis an Aire Stáit go bhfuil sé sin indéanta agus go mbeidh daoine in ann a gcuid ghnó a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge?
Tá mé cinnte faoi sin. Tá a fhios agam go raibh díospóireacht mhór ann roimh an chinneadh seo a dhéanamh, am nach raibh mise ceaptha mar Aire Stáit. Glacaim nach bhfuil i gceist ach figiúir de 6%, ach is dóigh liom gur tús maith é. Mar a deirtear, is tús maith leath na hoibre. Is féidir linn tógáil ar an bhfigiúir de 6%. Tá an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí ag eagrú chomórtais earcaíochta éagsúla. Tá sé i gceist fo-phainéal, suas le 6%, d'oifigigh le Gaeilge a chruthú mar thoradh ar na comórtais sin. Maidir leis an mBille teanga, beartaíodh go mbeadh ar chomhlachtaí poiblí na poist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo a aithint sna scéimeanna teanga. Is dul chun cinn suntasach é sin. Bhí díospóireacht mhór ann roimh an chinneadh seo a dhéanamh. An ceart figiúir de 6% nó 10%? Ach is é an rud is tábhachtaí ná tús maith a bheith againn. Déanfaidh mé gach iarracht maidir le seo. Tá díospóireacht agus comhrá ar siúl faoi láthair idir na Ranna áirithe sa Rialtas.
Tá imní ar a lán daoine faoi seo. Bhí trí mháirseáil i rith na bliana - i mBaile Átha Cliath, i mBéal Feirste agus i gConamara. Chailleamar an Coimisinéir Teanga agus dúirt an t-iarChoimisinéir a lán rudaí faoin gceist seo. Bhí brait ag na mairseálacha seo ag rá go raibh daoine "dearg le fearg". Sin an teachtaireacht a bhí acu. Bhí siad ag caint mar gheall ar chothrom na féinne, mar cheap siad nach raibh cothrom na féinne don teanga ná do na daoine a bhí ag iarraidh gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge. Maidir leis na Ranna Rialtais agus Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte, tá a lán daoine buartha mar nach bhfuil siad in ann freagra a fháil agus gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge. Caithfimid níos mó a dhéanamh faoi sin.
Beidh mé i dteagmháil leis na hoifigigh sinsearacha agus na hAirí idir na Ranna Rialtais éagsúla chun daoine a bhogadh chun tosaigh sa scéim. Tá dualgas orainn an teanga a chur chun tosaigh sna Ranna agus sna seirbhísí poiblí timpeall na tíre. Is tús maith é 6% agus is dócha go mbeidh an tír in áit difriúil amach anseo. Is é an rud is tábhachtaí ná go mbeadh scéal difriúil agus dearfach ann. Aontaím nach bhfuil sé ceart nach mbeadh duine le Gaeilge acu ag freagairt an ghutháin sa Roinn sin nó i bhFeidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte. Is é sin an dúshlán atá romhainn anois. Is é an teachtaireacht atá agam do na daltaí sa bhunscoil agus sa mheánscoil, agus a dtuismitheoirí fosta, ná go mbeidh poist ar fáil nuair a bheidh an tír in áit difriúil agus beidh na Ranna Rialtais ag lorg daoine le Gaeilge chun obair sna Ranna, sna comhairlí chontae, i bhFeidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte agus araile.
93. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the current funding situation of the National Museum of Ireland; the way she will address the funding difficulties of this institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46806/14]
This question was tabled in the context of the difficulties of the National Museum and the indication of its possible closure or introduction of charges. That came against a background of a 40% cut in funding over the past few years. Fair play to the Minister, I congratulate her on having secured the additional €2 million which hopefully will be used to the benefit of the cultural institutions.
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. In the recent budget I was pleased to be able to maintain funding for 2015 for the national cultural institutions, including the National Museum, at the same level as 2014. This brought to an end the cycle of unavoidable cuts that have taken place at all of our national cultural institutions in recent years. I was, of course, aware of particular funding issues that continued to exist and I have been engaged in ongoing discussions with the chairpersons and senior management at several of our cultural institutions, including the National Museum, about addressing those challenges. I was delighted, therefore, to be able to announce last week that I have secured an agreement with the Minister for Public and Reform Expenditure, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to provide an additional €2 million in funding for the National Cultural Institutions as part of the Revised Estimates, to be published later this month.
The additional funding secured will be used to deal with several issues across the cultural institutions. I believe that it gives more certainty to the institutions and will allow them to continue to deliver on their core objectives, while attracting large numbers of people through their doors, including overseas and domestic tourists.
Our national cultural institutions are an essential component of our cultural fabric. Through their collections and exhibitions, they make a huge contribution to our society. I can assure the Deputy of the Government's interest in, and continuing support for, our national cultural institutions and I remain hopeful that, notwithstanding the continuing pressure on the State's finances, it will prove possible to ease the resource constraints on the institutions even further in the future.
I thank the Minister for her response which I welcome. It is positive. It begs the question whether this €2 million in funding will be secured in future. Will the Minister explain how she envisages the funding breaking down between the National Museum and the National Library? We are aware of the difficulties in the National Museum. There are serious difficulties too in the National Library where there has been an increase of 42% in visitors over the past 12 months, yet it has suffered even greater cuts than the museum, in the order of 44% in recent times. I heard the Minister refer in the national media to these institutions' becoming self-financing, which some journalists think is desirable. Can she give us an undertaking that she is committed to the public's having free access to these vital resources which are owned by the people of Ireland?
I am very much of the opinion that they should continue to be open to the public free of charge. In England whenever they introduce charging into cultural institutions, the number of visitors drop by about 50%. I would not want that to happen here. That is why this additional funding is so important. I will publish a breakdown of the €2 million in due course. I intend to allocate funding to all of the cultural institutions and will decide in the coming weeks exactly how much will go to each institution. That has not been finalised. I have been talking to them, and on that basis, the allocations will be decided. The Department officials have been preparing proposals on the allocations in close consultation with the cultural institutions.
I understood that the National Museum required €650,000 to continue to operate as heretofore notwithstanding the constraints it is now under. I also understand that the National Library had indicated that it needed a 20% increase in its level of funding to be able to contain the additional pressure it is under due to the increased number of visitors. That is the extent of the commitment the Minister is being asked to make now. I very much welcome her statement that she shares our view that the public should have free access to these institutions. The institutions enrich Irish society. It is a great pleasure to stand outside this building and see the throngs of young people who visit these institutions daily. Long may that continue.
I agree with the Deputy. The museum has received almost 1 million visitors this year, which is a tremendous achievement. Things have been difficult for all of the cultural institutions, because their budgets were cut and this is the first time in six years there were no cuts. I pay tribute to the great work they do. I absolutely agree with the Deputy they make a huge contribution to our society, and attract visitors to the city and tourists to Ireland. The National Museum did indicate the figure the Deputy mentioned.
The National Library had also mentioned the difficulties it was facing. The breakdown has not been published yet. It will be published shortly. I have had discussions with the directors and chairpersons of the different institutions. We will try to resolve the issues they have raised.
94. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the airstrips at Cleggan and Inishbofin, County Galway; if discussions have taken place or are planned with the Irish Coast Guard regarding the use of the facilities in its work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46858/14]
This question relates to the Government's plans for the airstrips at Cleggan and Inishbofin. Has the Minister of State had any engagement with the Irish Coast Guard on their use?
Beidh mé ag streachailt i mBéarla anois. An bhfuil sé sin ar dóigh? As the Deputy is aware, my Department has developed airstrips at Cleggan and Inishbofin in County Galway. These airstrips are not open at present. They are not licensed for use by the Irish Aviation Authority. The landing of aircraft on the airstrips is prohibited.
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht decided in 2013 to dispose of both airstrips. This decision was made in view of the economic downturn, the ongoing cost of maintaining the airstrips and the unlikelihood that the Department will at any time in the near future have the resources to provide financial support to an air service between Inishbofin and the mainland. The Department is assessing the disposal options that are available to it. A decision in this regard will be announced in due course.
I can confirm that the Department has received inquiries from various parties, including the Irish Coast Guard, about the future use of the facilities. I understand the Irish Coast Guard has used the island's airstrip for daytime emergency medical evacuations. Night-time evacuations are not possible as there are no landing lights on either airstrip. My Department has been in contact with the Irish Coast Guard and has indicated that it will examine any proposals it may have in this regard.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him and the Minister for the additional capital funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta, which was announced today. I know the Minister and the Minister of State engaged in a great deal of consultation with my colleague, Seosamh Ó Laoi, who is a member of the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, on this matter. Today's announcement has been welcomed in my local area.
I thank the Minister of State for response to Question No. 94. Has any timeline been set out for when a decision will be made? Has consideration been given to opening a period of consultation with the people of Inishbofin and the general Cleggan and Clifden area? Given that a great deal of investment was made to put the airstrips in place, it is a shame that they have been left in their current condition. Has the Government explored the options with regard to consultation with local people? Has the option of leasing the airstrips been offered to them? I imagine that the cost of purchasing them would be prohibitive. Has the Government considered that? If not, will it do so?
I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le mo chomhghleacaithe, na hAirí, na Teachtaí Humphreys, Howlin agus Noonan as ucht a gcuid tacaíochta i rith an phróisis Mheastachán i ndiaidh an bhuiséid. Tá mé thar a bheith sásta go mbeidh airgead breise ar fáil d'Údarás na Gaeltachta. Rinne mé gealltanas i ndiaidh an bhuiséid fá choinne iarracht a dhéanamh ina thaobh. Tá sár-obair ar siúl ag an údarás. Thug an Teachta Kyne agus mé féin cuairt ar HID Global i nGaillimh i rith an tsamhraidh. Tá Údarás na Gaeltachta ag obair go dian dícheallach le Randox agus na comhlachtaí eile sna ceantracha éagsúla timpeall na Gaeltachta chun fostaíocht a chruthú agus a chosaint.
Deputy Kyne proposed that a timeline should be set out with regard to the two airstrips. I am open to doing something constructive here. The Deputy will be in touch with the various groups and comharchumainn on the ground in his backyard and his constituency. I would be interested in doing something about these two airstrips, which cost €9 million. That is the amount of money that went into the two airstrips, which are lying idle. As far as I am aware, the Irish Coast Guard has an interest in them. I have spoken to a few senior officers. The Deputy's question is a demonstration of his interest in this matter. Some of his colleagues in County Galway have been on to me as well. We have to try to move this forward. If the Irish Coast Guard is interested, maybe we should sit down and see how we can move this forward. I am open to the Deputy's suggestions. If he has ideas on how to move this forward, I will certainly be interested in hearing them.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Gabhaim buíochas leis as ucht an fhreagra. Given that we are coming up to Christmas, I would suggest that a brief period of consultation be provided for early in the new year to allow people to express their opinions. Perhaps we can take submissions of interest and proceed from there with a plan. Some of the people who are interested in renting these airstrips believe options like unlicensed aerodrome activity should be considered. They have suggested that private aeroplanes could be allowed to land at these airstrips without them having to be manned. Ideally, we would want a commercial operation, but that might not be possible. We need to explore all options. Perhaps the Minister of State will consider setting aside a period of consultation early in the new year to allow people to respond.
I am interested in doing something constructive with the many stakeholders and different groups in this sector. Galway County Council was heavily involved at one stage. Deputy Kyne has his ear to the ground and will certainly have ideas as well. I will speak to my officials on this matter. We will see how we can try to move it forward. If people have an interest in and are willing to use the existing infrastructure, commercially or otherwise, that should be considered. The Irish Coast Guard, which is primarily a voluntary organisation, has expressed an interest. We should be open to any ideas that might be proposed by the Irish Coast Guard, which does a great deal of professional work on the ground. If there are other ideas, they should be considered too.
Question No. 95 is in the name of Deputy Durkan. As the Deputy is absent at the moment, we will move on to Question No. 96.
It is not very often that the Deputy is absent, especially if there is a question to be asked.
Do not tempt fate. He could be on his way.
96. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views about the discontent of some relatives of those who partook in the 1916 Rising with regard to the centenary commemoration plans; if she has requested a meeting with these relatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46807/14]
I wonder whether the Minister has met some of the relatives of the 1916 participants who have expressed their disappointment with the commemoration ceremonies. I hope she will meet as many as possible of the representative groups, disparate as they are, before final plans are made for the commemoration.
I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Along with my Government colleagues, I am committed to ensuring the commemorations to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful. I appreciate the concerns of the relatives of those who fought and those who died during the Rising. I am actively engaging with them to ensure they will have a central role in a number of key State events. I recently met representatives of the various relatives' groups to highlight the important role they will have in the plans to commemorate the centenary of the events of Easter 1916. I have established a 2016 project office within my Department. It is tasked with co-ordinating all activities relating to the commemoration of 1916. The relevant officials are liaising with officials in the Department of Defence on matters regarding relatives, including the compilation of lists for events that will be organised to commemorate the centenary of 1916. The project office can be contacted at 2016projectoffice@ahg.gov.ie.
I look forward to working with the Oireachtas all-party consultation group on commemorations, the expert advisory group and a wide range of stakeholders over the coming 18 months to make the events of Easter 2016 a very special and poignant tribute to all those involved. I would welcome the involvement of the relatives in the commemorations, as well as their comments and views. The matter is open to consultation.
I commend the Minister on meeting some of the relatives. I encourage her to continue that work. Recently, I became conscious of the fact that there may be a large number of relatives, including internationally. Among the criticisms voiced about the commemorative ceremonies was the opinion that the Government was treating the situation like the homecoming or whatever we called that festival some time ago.
The Gathering.
The Gathering. There may be some merit in reaching out nationally and internationally to people with direct connections to those who fought and died in this formative event in Irish history. Has the Department plans in that regard?
Yes. I want to consult as widely as possible. In that regard, we will work closely with the embassies. I recently attended the Famine commemoration in New Orleans where I met many people of Irish descent. They were keen to get involved in the 1916 commemorations. I encouraged them, as I want them to make contact with us. We will make contact with a number of organisations in America. 1916 was about the people of Ireland. It is important that we have national and international involvement. In that respect, I will make every effort to make contact with the diaspora through our embassies.
A figure of €4 million has been mentioned in the context of the commemorative ceremonies. In the limited time available, will the Minister tell the House a little about that? Will the €4 million be channelled through the Arts Council? Is it for specific arts-related projects or is it for marketing and PR in respect of the ceremonies? Does the Arts Council envisage mounting schemes, programmes, competitions or whatever? If so, will they be public, will they be advertised and will participation be encouraged and invited?
It is my intention to allocate the budget of €4 million in a manner that will facilitate the roll-out of an integrated plan focused on commemorating the centenary of the 1916 Rising. I intend to use the money to support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local communities, as well as the arts and education sectors. We are considering a number of proposed commemorative activities. I intend for there to be a number of broad headings. It is important to involve the arts, community and education sectors. It is also important that we include our young people through the education system. The 2016 commemorations do not just belong to one part of the country, so I want to ensure that they are extended to the whole of the country so that people might engage. For this reason, the consultation process will continue until the end of March, giving people an opportunity to propose ideas. I want the cultural institutions to be involved. They are considering what they will do for 2016. The Rising was an important event in our history. Next year will give them good time to plan. The additional €4 million-----
I must interrupt. In light of the fact that Deputy Durkan has just arrived and given that we broke the order of questions, he should put Question No. 95 now. In deference to the next questioner, who has been waiting, we will only take the question and the Minister's reply before going straight into the next question.
95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department continues to encourage economic development through the medium of the arts; the degree to which specific targets continue to be identified and met in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46816/14]
I apologise for the lateness of my arrival, which was due to my being in transit. The question is self-evident. Will the Minister indicate the extent to which the arts and heritage sectors are being used to encourage job creation and economic development?
As set out in the programme for Government, the Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. The Government appreciates the importance of the arts, culture and the creative industries to our society and economy. The arts sector continues to offer vital opportunities for the provision of important cultural, social and employment benefits to communities throughout the country.
Primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The council is funded by my Department and is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, including its funding decisions. In 2014, the Arts Council received an allocation of €56.9 million. Details of all funding provided by the Arts Council to arts practitioners, groups and venues, including arts centres, are available on its website at www.artscouncil.ie.
The nature of employment within the arts sector encompasses a wide range of activities. It can include those engaged in the arts practice within specific artistic genres and can encompass areas that flow from such artistic pursuits. It may also embody the industrial creative sectors, including audiovisual production.
The Government appreciates and values the contribution that the arts sector makes to the internationally renowned artistic reputation of this country. Within the current economic constraints, investment in the arts, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of the sector. In October 2012, the Arts Council published its latest update of the "Assessment of the Economic Impact of the Arts in Ireland", which is available on the council's website.
I thank the Minister.
97. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, in the pursuit of a vital all-island approach to genealogical heritage, a conflict arises in the different legal regimes surrounding access to digitised records online versus digitised indexes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46866/14]
This relates to having an all-Ireland approaching to genealogical heritage services. Obviously, there are two legal jurisdictions involved. I wish to draw attention to the General Register Office's birth, marriage and death records. We are out of synch with the North's progress. I presume the Minister will be able to address this matter.
I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I assume that her question relates to the indexes of births, deaths and marriages. As part of the Government's policy to enhance public access to our - I cannot say the next word; it is gone from me - heritage,-----
It is all right.
-----online access to the indexes to births, deaths and marriages is in the process of being finalised through my Department's website www.irishgenealogy.ie. The provision of such access is a joint project between the Department of Social Protection, the General Register Office and my Department. I understand from my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, that the online availability of historical registry data is now provided for in section 27 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014. The Act was signed by the President on 4 December and I understand that it will be subject to a commencement order in early 2015. Section 27 amends section 61 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 and provides for public access, via www.irishgenealogy.ie, to register entries in respect of births more than 100 years ago, marriages more than 75 years ago, and deaths more than 50 years ago. Currently, a member of the public cannot search the registers online. Instead, users may apply to the Registrar General, a superintendent registrar, a registrar or an authorised officer to search the registers on their behalf. The new provisions in the 2014 Act will allow a member of the public to directly search these historical registers, via online access, for the first time. The date restrictions are in line with international practice as regards what historic records are available online, and also reflect the current position in Northern Ireland.
The website of the General Register Office of Northern Ireland, GRONI, provides indexes which lead the user to the actual records. The records that were made available on the website to which the Minister referred had to be taken down because the Data Protection Commissioner had a difficulty with the information that was thereby made available. Now, it seems, there is no such problem. However, we will park that issue for now. Will the Minister indicate when the information will be available online?
The GRONI website allows users, for a fee, not only to search the index entries but to see the records themselves. We should not be out of line with Northern Ireland in this regard. There was a major project done in Roscommon, at a cost of more than €10 million, where the records were digitised. Will those records, in addition to the indexes, be made available to the Department under the legislation to which the Minister referred and, if so, when is it likely to happen?
The relevant provision of the 2014 Act allows for public access, via www.irishgenealogy.ie, to the register entries. That legislation was signed by the President on 4 December. As I said, users will be able to see entries for births more than 100 years ago, marriages more than 75 years ago and deaths more than 50 years ago.
Will users be able to access the actual records or just the indexes?
They will be able to access the register entries, which I presume is the actual record. I am aware of the facility that is available on the GRONI website. I will double-check to ensure the same facility will be available on our site. Users could previously click a link on the site and access the database that is controlled by the Department of Social Protection. That has been changed, but I will check with the Department and get back to the Deputy.
Written Answers follow Adjournment.
