Land Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014

Tuesday, 4 March 2014

Ceisteanna (357)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

357. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the collection of Land Commission records (1881-1982) in the custody of his Department, including correspondence, estate records, family trees, lease-books, tenants’ lists, maps, deeds, wills and so on in a manner comparable to the publication of the pre-1923 Land Commission records by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, on proni.gov.uk, those records having been supplied to the Public Record Office Northern Ireland by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10840/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are no plans at present to make the records of the former Irish Land Commission (ILC) generally available to the public as they are still working documents. My officials regularly access these records to service queries from the public relating to current and past transactions and for the full completion of the work of the Land Commission. Limited access to these records may be made available following application to the Legal Services Division of my Department but access is subject to the restrictions for inspection and delivery of these documents laid down in the Land Purchase Acts Rules and in the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts.

My Department is however mindful of the public interest in obtaining access to the vast repository of documents relating to the former ILC. Wider access to these records will be a matter for consideration when completion of the work of the Land Commission is at a more advanced stage.