Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Much of what I had wanted to ask on the archives advisory council has already been put to the Taoiseach. He has told us about the review under way on how this will be presented in a new format with other areas of related interest. He mentioned the National Library. We are gone almost three years now without the council, and given the significant challenge to the safe storage and maintenance of archival material - both paper and electronic - is there not a reason to expedite a decision on the new arrangements that will apply?

The last time we asked these questions, the Taoiseach indicated to me that a Bill would be brought forward following the determination of the type of advisory council that would emerge. Does he have any idea when the current considerations will conclude? When will we see that legislation so that we can look at the terms of references for a new archives advisory council, by whatever name or format? I presume no legislation is under preparation because no decision on the future format of all of this has been taken.

With regard to the various Departments, and high volume paper usage Departments in particular, are different regimes in place for the retention of files material? Is there a period of time after which they are normally disposed of? Is there a blanket retention? Is the Taoiseach in a position to give any sense of whether different arrangements apply to high volume paper usage Departments, such as the Departments of Health and Children and Social Protection?

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