Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

To clarify a point raised by Senator Brian Hayes, there are obviously certain circumstances in which historians or researchers will want or need to consult the original. I remember a debate 20 years ago about whether the reputed grandfather of President Ronald Reagan was listed as "John Regan" or "John Ryan" in the parish register at Kilbehenny, I believe. Obviously, one needed to look at the original very carefully. Many of these registers were kept in manuscript, at least in days gone by, and therefore there could be instances where one would need to look at the original rather closely.