Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Taoiseach did not indicate to me the extent to which material was withheld, consequent on the absence of sufficient space to accommodate the release of material this year. At least this has been reported and I do not note any contradiction in that regard in the Taoiseach's earlier replies. Can he indicate the extent of the withholding, where it applies and whether steps are being taken in the current year to bring forward the release of that material for public access and scrutiny? What steps is the Government taking, having been exposed to the difficulties this year in terms of inadequate space? Could the Taoiseach reconfirm new building arrangements that had previously been signalled are not now to be proceeded with? What is the Government undertaking to do in the coming months to avoid a building heaping up a mound of material year on year into the future?

Finally, in reply to an earlier question, I noted the Taoiseach had indicated that he was not aware of the situation as regards electronic documentation. I have noted that recently in the Seanad, the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh stated that documents held electronically will not be preserved. I urge the Taoiseach to view electronic documentation as being of equal importance to paper in the current age. It is incumbent on the Taoiseach and the Government to make the required arrangements in order to preserve both. If the Taoiseach is not in a position to comment this afternoon, will he please undertake to come back to each of the party leaders on this particular matter as soon as he has had an opportunity to inform himself?

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