Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is very good that the State releases archives. It is probably the one centre in a democracy that has the capacity to release comprehensive archives. Not all actors in dramatic situations are in a position to release their archives or are disposed to do so. It is positive. Normally, the release of archives is a smooth operation. During recent years, for some reason, a new practice has emerged whereby it is preceded by an announcement by the Minister that the papers are on their way. It is like a Minister announcing that he or she is confident the sun will shine in the morning. It is a curious practice. It is the only political involvement.

The Taoiseach used the phrase "contrary to the public interest". At times, this can be a very subjective assessment. Deputy Brendan Howlin's question is reasonable. Surely, there must be a second opinion, maybe some time later, as to whether it is contrary to the public interest that files that are 70 years old are still not being released. Down through the years, there was a conservative approach in the public service generally to the release of files. To ease the concerns of historians and others who might feel they are missing out on some gems or particularly interesting nuggets of detail and information, a system of second opinion or further examination would be useful in determining whether something is contrary to the public interest or would lead to litigation in the event of archives being published.

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