Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The National Archives Act lays down regulations as to how the storing of records is governed and empowers the National Archives to instruct State bodies on the storing of archives. I understand there are currently clear regulations governing the storage of paper records but it appears there are no regulations governing the storage of electronic records. The Taoiseach said that all the staff in his Department are enabled to do this. I understand, and the Taoiseach can correct me if am wrong, that systems on which storage takes place today use the term "2007 system" and that such systems may well be inaccessible in 20 or 30 years' time. Does what the Taoiseach referred in his reply cover the putting of electronic information in a system that can be accessed or that it will be possible to transfer to a system whereby historians in the future can look up information contained in his Department? Is that the case? Is the Taoiseach satisfied that whatever information is in his Department, both in paper and electronic form, can be stored properly? Under the National Archives Act, there is an entitlement to instruct State agencies to transfer electronic information to a system that will enable it to be accessed. Did the Taoiseach in his reply confirm this to be the case, namely, that no information, either paper or electronic, will be lost for future years?

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