Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I have no statutory function for the matters referred to by the Deputy. The issuing of coats of arms and the administration of the Genealogical Office and Office of the Chief Herald are both the responsibility of the statutory board of the National Library of Ireland under sections 12 and 13 of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997.

I have been advised that the board of the National Library has lifted its temporary suspension on the granting of arms on foot of legal advice it has received which is to the effect that under the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997, the board can exercise the heraldic powers provided for in the Act. The board has also recently referred this advice to my Department as it has a bearing on certain functions discharged by the National Library prior to its corporatisation in May 2005. My departmental officials are considering this legal advice in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General as to what legislative action, if any, may be required.

See this speech in context