Fiach MacConghail (Independent)
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I thank all the witnesses for appearing before the joint committee. It is lovely to hear both Ms Eibhlín Roche and Rev. Dr. Norman Gamble's connection with and stories on the archive. Of course, the Guinness Archive is extraordinarily valuable and long may they proceed to publish and make those connections, particularly as we approach the centenary of the Great War, the First World War. That information will become extremely valuable.

I thank Mr. Donovan for the time he has taken to make this presentation and I wish to pose some practical questions on what needs to be done. This will help us in making recommendations to the Minister. We believe the Minister is very supportive of this industry but perhaps needs more arguments and demonstrated proofs of what genealogy can bring to the economy, in short QEDs, quod erat demonstrandum.

Is Mr. Donovan aware of any economic impact study or economic study else where in the world on creating jobs from the genealogy business? Has he any examples that we could examine so that we could make an argument for creating jobs, or that it can be viewed as an industry like the tech industry? We know it is an industry. We know also it is a hobby that can be monetised and that there is both a public and private interest in it. Long may that continue.

In respect of data protection, are they in favour of reducing the time frame from 100 year to 90 years or 70 years? I would like to hear their view on that.

The witnesses are, of course, aware of the difficulty the national cultural institutions face in making money, as they are practically prohibited from making money through a bizarre set of rules and regulations. Let me give an example. Even tendering for a fundraising job in the National Library, the National Museum or National Gallery is obtuse. Have they further insights on how the culture sector can make money in this area?