Dáil debates

Thursday, 29 November 2007

3:00 pm

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of the National Archives plans to invest in facilities to house them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31508/07]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The redevelopment of the National Archives headquarters forms part of the national development plan and €20 million in seed capital has been earmarked for the project. The Office of Public Works, OPW, has carried out significant preliminary work on the accommodation brief and the likely cost of providing the National Archives with new storage and other accommodation at its redeveloped Bishop Street headquarters.

It is now necessary to conduct an economic cost assessment on the project. When this assessment has been completed, the project will then be discussed with the OPW, the Department of Finance and the National Development Finance Agency as the likely procurement process will be on a public private partnership basis.

In recent years, significant work has been completed at the Bishop Street premises to enhance and expand the archives' footprint there. The Land Commission is co-located in the building with the archives and as the commission staff and files are being relocated in the context of decentralisation, more space is being made available to the archives. In addition, alternative propositions to Bishop Street have been evaluated, such as the former Coláiste Mhuire site. This was found to be unsuitable due to the storage requirements of the archives. The redevelopment of the Bishop Street premises is one of a number of large cultural and sports projects being advanced by the Department and the OPW under the national development plan and due priority is now being accorded to it.

The 1977 release of public records will be on schedule.

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister could make a name for himself that would be long-remembered by ending the national scandal whereby the National Archives are closeted in a biscuit factory. Most of them are completely inaccessible, are piled on pallets and could be rotting away, for all Members know. This is an absolute scandal. The Minister has provided a flavour of its history. The archives moved to their current site on a temporary basis 20 years ago. It is time for someone to take this issue by the scruff of its neck and make a decision on what will happen. While money is available in the national development plan, I foresee it running to its conclusion without anything happening.

Ireland needs a purpose-built building for its National Archives as the existing facility is a disgrace. This country prides itself on its interest in the past and in its culture, history and heritage. Although Irish people go around the world talking about it, we cannot look after it at home. The Minister must agree this constitutes a real disgrace. The Land Commission, which occupies part of the building, is in possession of extremely valuable material that is completely inaccessible. It must also be relocated from its current site. Were a fire to break out there, Ireland could forget about having any kind of National Archives. Consequently, there is real urgency in this regard. Apart from the fire issue, we owe it to ourselves and to our past to do something. If the Minister took this issue by the scruff of the neck and made decisions about it he would be very well thought of. If he were to do this, I certainly would be more than willing to say very nice things about him both nationally and in the constituency.

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sure Deputy Mitchell would do that anyway.

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The redevelopment of the headquarters of the National Archives forms part of the national development plan. The sum of €20 million in seed capital has been allocated for this project. Given that Deputy Mitchell has specifically raised this issue today, I will ask the Secretary General and his staff to give me a special report on it.

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It is one thing having the money and the intention to do something, but there does not appear to be any direction.