Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We might make history. I will not ask Mam what we are having for dinner on Sunday.

The broad issue of access and resources seems to be a general theme. Some of the groups obtain private income or make money from this. The Irish Family History Foundation makes income from the very successful generating of genealogical services. The submissions we received from the Genealogical Society of Ireland and the Association of Professional Genealogists of Ireland were concerned with how to maximise access as widely as possible to as many people as possible from the diaspora and Irish citizens. Are there tensions between public access and creating or protecting jobs? I need to know broadly what it means.

I acknowledge the support of the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, for irishgenealogy.ie. I have heard from Mr. Merrigan and from my mother about the clear argument for reviewing the Statistics Act. It makes great sense. I do not want the witness to respond on the issue but I wish to know I am clear on the recommendation on amending the 100 year rule in the Statistics Act, particularly with regard to the 1926 census. We know from Ms Catriona Crowe that an amount of money may be needed as significant investment was needed to put online the National Archives. Perhaps we need to invite in the CSO to hear its view.