Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for this contribution, but I cannot consider accepting the amendment because it would put records at risk. He may not be aware of the €8 million development plan at the National Archives in Bishop's Place. There will be a major upgrading in the next few years. If we were to accept the amendment, it would put those records at risk. The transfer of departmental records more than 30 years old, the subject of the amendment, is dealt with in the main Act. Section 8 of the National Archives Act 1986 outlines the circumstances in which records should not be transferred from a Department. As the amendment seeks to delete this provision of the Act, I cannot accept it.