Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy that the issue is dragging a little and that is why I gave the appropriate instruction to recruit civilian staff without further delay because I suspect suitable staff are not available within the military.

The location of the archives is a difficult issue. The relocation of the National Archives is a problem and the relevant authority is experiencing considerable difficulty. We are keeping the option of siting both archives together in the back of our minds but that option will not become live until a decision is made on the National Archives. The difficulty is three locations were identified by the committee when it was established in 2003 and two further locations were established. Three have been ruled out on cost and architectural grounds while the two remaining options look decidedly shaky. Last August, I asked the committee to look outside Collins Barracks for a suitable location and my Department has separately examined other locations in the meantime. Hopefully progress will be made on this important matter in the not too distant future.

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