Amendments Nos. 6 and 8 are related and may be discussed together.
SECTION 12.
I move amendment No. 6:
In page 11, subsection (1), line 10, after "Ireland" to insert "and to contribute to the provision of access by members of the public to material relating to other countries".
This amendment will enlarge the function of the board of the National Library to make it clear that while its primary functions are in relation to material relating to Ireland, it should also have a role in contributing, in co-operation with other libraries, to enlarging human knowledge generally. This could be done, for example, by way of inter-library loans both in Ireland and abroad. A power to engage in such inter-library loans is made explicit in amendment No. 8. I commend these two amendments to the House. This is to give an assurance in relation to matters or functions upon which I have received representations.
I warmly support both the Minister's amendments. They will substantially improve the legislation we are putting in place. I was appalled that the initial draft of the Bill seemed to limit the area of responsibility of the library to matters of purely Irish origin. That would have diminished the library as well as the definition of knowledge which transcends boundaries. I am glad the Minister has tabled these amendments which rectify the matter.
Amendment agreed to.
I move amendment No. 7:
In page 11, subsection (2)(d), lines 21 and 22, to delete "material in the collection of the library" and substitute "library material".
This is a drafting amendment. "Library material" is already defined as including material in the collection of the library.
Amendment agreed to.
I move amendment No. 8:
In page 11, subsection (2)(m), line 45, after "State" to insert "and outside the State (including inter-library loan agreements)".
Amendment agreed to.
Section 12, as amended, agreed to.
Section 13 agreed to.