Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The sum of €120 million would be a lot less now, so perhaps the Minister could obtain a new estimate.

The other question concerns the National Archives Advisory Council, which is a statutory body. It has not been appointed and went out of existence at least two years ago. I presume the reason it has not been appointed is due to the proposed changes to amalgamate the National Archives with the National Library. The National Archives, as currently constituted, are under threat so this is the very time the Minister needs a council to advise her. Will the Minister appoint the advisory council now? Has she had any second thoughts about amalgamating the National Archives and the National Library? I would urge her to have such second thoughts. It is not a statutory obligation and the functions of both bodies are very different. No cost benefit analysis was done on the amalgamation. As far as I can gather, the former Minister, Martin Cullen, was asked to come up with a few money-saving devices. He thought this might save money, but there is no rationale for it. There is no proof whatsoever that it will save money, but money must be spent on the National Archives.

Will the Minister appoint the advisory council? Before proceeding any further with the amalgamation, will she undertake a full cost-benefit analysis? In addition, she should read the report produced when this amalgamation was first considered 20 years ago. A full report was done at that time, although no such report was done on this occasion. Will the Minister read that report and examine the arguments for maintaining the National Archives as they are?

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