Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In reply to Deputy Kenny's question about the departmental group, its remit is to examine the historical value of the archive records held by the Department which are 30 years old. Its members include a number of prominent academics including Professor Mary Daly, principal of the college of arts and Celtic studies, UCD; Professor Ronan Fanning, professor of modern history; Professor Dermot Keogh, professor of history, UCC; Professor Eunan O'Halpin, professor of contemporary history; Gerard Hogan, lecturer in law, TCD; Margaret O'Callaghan, lecturer in politics; Thomas Quinlan, senior archivist and head of acquisitions at the National Archives. Val O'Donnell, former assistant secretary, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, will also be part of the working group which has been asked to report within 12 months. This model can be used for other areas.

In reply to Deputy Rabbitte's question, I will pass on his comments regarding the use of the word processor.

With reference to replies to questions, many files from the 1970s related to Northern Ireland. I have not examined the files but I spoke to people who were involved in their examination. At that stage there was a large flow of information coming in about events and activities but those numbers have decreased in recent years. Only five files were retained this year and there have been some abstractions from the files. For example, out of 2,012 files in 2001, only 13 files were retained. Sections 8(4)(a), (b) and (c), govern the release of files. Section 8(4)(a) states that a file may not be released for reasons of the public interest. Section 8(4)(b) refers to information obtained in confidence and many files from the 1970 to 1971 period are in this category. Other files are not released if they pose a threat of distress or danger of defamation but there have not been many in this category. Information relating to security is the main reason. Deputy Rabbitte asked an interesting question but I am doubtful that the files are revisited but I will inquire whether files are held back forever. I made inquiries in the past as to the reason names cited in files cannot be released even if the information is not released. I was informed that in most of these cases, the file name used would be an individual's name and this would disclose the information. I made this inquiry a few years ago. I will ask whether any of these files are revisited or whether such a question could be dealt with by the review group in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. There is widespread interest in the archives from historians and academics, particularly in our universities. Not too many more people may be interested but the aforementioned groups certainly are.

Even though I have been in this job quite a long time, I must be careful what I say. I would love to be able to give Deputy Rabbitte a straight answer about what information is held in military and security records but I am not in a position to do so. It is still an area that intrigues me. Rather than being on the record in 30 years' time as having said I am sure nobody had a file on me or my colleagues, I will decline to do so because I would not be certain.

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