Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy said, the functions retained by the Taoiseach relate to those records older than 30 years, which are retained for public interest or other purposes. That is rightly in the domain of the Taoiseach because these are matters of major public interest with serious issues attaching to them. That is a function retained by the Taoiseach. I have never had reason to use it. I do not recall seeing any papers asking me to publish that which had previously been withheld under the relevant section 8(4)(a ),(b) and(c), or all three paragraphs, in respect of documentation I have. The Deputy has just outlined a statement of fact and I have no recollection of having to execute any functions under that particular remit or responsibility.

As regards the question of the National Archives Advisory Council, that was established to advise the Minister on matters of archives under the 1986 Act. As I said in a previous reply, we now have an amalgamation process involving three different institutions. That legislation is proceeding, and therefore I take it that when this Bill is brought forward we shall have an opportunity to see what type of advisory council for all three composite institutions will emerge in the future. Basically, we are in transition towards a new entity.

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