Mr. Kevin Lonergan:

On Deputy Catherine Murphy's question about the General Register Office, we are only making access to the index available at this stage. Access to the full records is a matter for the General Register Office and we cannot speak on its behalf. We will monitor how we get on with the indexes. We will keep in touch with the General Register Office and enter into negotiations with it thereafter, but at this stage we cannot say where we are going in that regard.

With regard to Senator Mac Conghail's question about pay-per-view facilities, the Department retains a preference for free access to online records, but we recognise, given the current economic climate, that it cannot be expected that resources to meet genealogical development will always be available from the State. Accordingly, it may well be necessary to explore the potential for other models to secure revenue, including philanthropic support, commercial partnerships and concession contracts. That is our position with regard to pay-per-view.