Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I am greatly inclined towards appointing a new council because I believe much guidance is needed regarding the deposition of archives, as well as their conservation and management. At present, I envisage such a development in the context of working towards a management merger. This simply pertains to management in order that back-office services and technology in particular can be shared. The enormous public interest in the National Archives in recent years has been focused on the 1911 census and, from next month, will be on the census of 1901. Even before its formal launch in the United States or elsewhere, a total of 240 million people have accessed the website to look at the census.

The use of digital technology will be a major feature of archives in the future and is a major feature of the National Library. Consequently, it makes a great deal of sense to combine efforts in this regard and to have a common focus. It makes a great deal of sense for them to collaborate on their back-office systems. However, I am absolutely satisfied that whatever processes and procedures are put in place will ensure the existence of two separate bodies with two independent directors and two separate roles. Moreover, these roles and the services provided will not change. This proposal is to ensure that such services are improved and that best use can be made of the facilities that would be available for both. However, my aim will be to appoint a council to work towards and to advise on this issue to protect the archives.

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