Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

There were 92 files related to Northern Ireland released to the National Archives and no files were withheld. Some documents were abstracted but no file was withheld. In my Department, very few files are certified for retention — there were only nine in 2004, five in 2003, five in 2002, 13 in 2001, 12 in 2000 and none in 1999. The numbers are small.

I do not have the information here but I have answered the question before. Deputy Ó Caoláin is correct, on some of them the subject matter is not published because it often contains the name of an individual. If the subject matter is given the person is identifiable. Some of those files related to a Mr. X or Ms Y so for that reason the subject matter was not published. Where the subject matter is general, it is published. That is the call that the designated officers make.

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