Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
405. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to intervene with the OPW and Tailte Éireann in order to obtain clarity on their plans for the preservation of old ordnance survey maps and artefacts of historical importance which are currently stored in the former Ordnance Survey office in the Phoenix Park which is now occupied by Tailte Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19117/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra406. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Tailte Éireann the person or body that occupies the former Ordnance Survey office in the Phoenix Park have considered moving the vast collection of old ordnance survey maps and artefacts of historical importance to the museum at Collins Barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19118/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together.
Tailte Éireann was established on 1 March 2023 under the Tailte Éireann Act 2022. All functions previously vested in the Property Registration Authority, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Commissioner of Valuation and Boundary Surveyor were transferred to Tailte Éireann. Under Section 8(6) of the Tailte Éireann Act 2022, Tailte Éireann is independent in the performance of its functions.
All records held by these bodies were transferred to Tailte Éireann and are regarded as the property of Tailte Éireann, which is a scheduled body for the purposes of the National Archives Act 1986.
Tailte Éireann holds a significant body of records which have ongoing legal and administrative functions and that are of historical importance to the Irish State. The records held in Tailte Éireann’s Phoenix Park office relate specifically to the surveying function which includes maps and artefacts. The Archive Services Unit of Tailte Éireann is responsible for the preservation of the Tailte Éireann archives and also ensuring compliance with the National Archives Act. There are professionally qualified archivists and record managers working within this Unit and it is understood from Tailte Éireann that they are currently undertaking a full review of all Tailte Éireann records and artefacts, of which surveying records is one part.
Further information may be obtained by Oireachtas members by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of Tailte Éireann at reps@tailte.ie.
