Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

On the question of whether there has been any Government discussion on a visit by the Queen, the answer is "No". It has not got to that stage. There has been no movement and it is unlikely to happen until the devolution of policing is completed. There has been no discussion on the matter over the years. Discussion has mainly been at local, official or embassy level and has not moved from that position.

Of the total of 818 files or part files transferred to the National Archives this year, 65 files were to do with Northern Ireland. Most of the files — I think all of them, subject to correction — from all the other sections of my Department would be given over in full. The only ones held back any year were to do with Northern Ireland. This year 65 files relating to Northern Ireland were released. Last year it was 55. No files were withheld, but of the 65 files, 48 were released without any abstractions. The comparable figure for last year was 44. Some 32 documents were extracted from files and partial abstractions from files were made on five documents. These abstractions were made under section 8(4) (b) and (c), namely, contrary to public interest, might constitute a breach of statutory duty or breach of faith on the grounds that they contain information supplied in confidence, or might cause distress or a danger to living persons, on the grounds they contain information about individuals or might be likely to lead to an action for damages or defamation.

I do not believe my Department would have had any files on Garda Fallon. That issue would relate to Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Any of the files we have are Northern Ireland based from the times and the earlier period of the Troubles and would relate mainly to contacts between officials on the ground, security briefings that would have been given by the police from Northern Ireland, and information coming to the Government during the period from various groups in Northern Ireland. Most of the abstractions identify people by name or would be sensitive information clearly stating who was providing information to the Government at the time.

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