Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Today's question time is repetitive. Not only is this almost entirely the same answer as before to these questions on the National Archives but, similarly, questions on freedom of information legislation yesterday elicited almost identical replies, as do questions on disability issues. One must ask whether the limitation on questions here is making question time ridiculous. While they are all interesting issues, it is as interesting as asking about the exhibits in the Natural History Museum next door — they do not change very often but there is no harm in asking the question.

Questions regarding the National Archives afford us an opportunity to query the complaint from the National Archives Office about a lack of space for archival material. Is there any firm delivery date for providing that space? The current Bishop Street premises is inadequate and the number of archives is increasing. According to the National Archives, the number of State papers is set to double over the next 20 years, yet there is nowhere to keep them. With the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, sitting next to him, the Taoiseach may be able to get more details on that question than he might otherwise obtain.

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