Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know this is a legacy issue and was not created on the Minister’s watch. There has been a general neglect over decades, along with a general absence of understanding of the value of these collections and the protection they require. It is in marked contrast to the storage facilities in the Public Record Office in Belfast. In the Dublin National Archives , many files are stored on pallets when the ideal situation is they should be in enclosed fireproof shelving units.

I am sure the people in the cultural institutions are doing their best with what they have. However, there has to be an acknowledgement that these are invaluable collections and need to be treated as such. It is an urgent matter from that point of view.

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