Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Senator Mansergh has answered the question. The registrar general and his officers have always facilitated those who wish to search the register. That, however, does not include the adoption index, a totally different record. "May" is the normal legislative form and its interpretation is "will be obliged to".

Concerns were raised by the genealogical groups that were unfounded because I gave a commitment that we will retain a genealogical and family research facility in Dublin. The GRO has been transferred to Roscommon but that facility will remain and electronic research equipment will be introduced in the research room in the GRO office in Joyce House in mid-2004. Access to paper or microfilm copies of the index books and registers will continue to be available until all historical data are available electronically in mid-2004.

With the transfer of the GRO to Roscommon, it is envisaged that discussions with the OPW will take place on considering a more suitable location for the research facility, perhaps within a university or in another more appropriate location. As Members will agree, the development of the research facility is most important. We will continue another phase of the civil registration system to incorporate an Internet research facility, which will be beneficial. Consideration will be given to the level and type of access to registration data which will be provided to users of this service. If concerns are expressed about access to such research or data, the consultative groups will be the appropriate people with whom to air them and, accordingly, deal with them.