Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I endorse what the Minister has said. The Government's commitment to the arts is well illustrated by the €700 million allocation for 2007. In that regard it would be remiss of me not to compliment and thank the Minister for his support for the Wexford Opera Festival and, in particular, the new theatre which will be built in Wexford at a cost in excess of €26 million, which will continue the prime position Wexford holds in the opera calendar worldwide. I endorse also what he said about the National Museum, particularly in regard to Collins Barracks. It is a fine museum as those who visit it will testify.

As other Senators have done, I compliment Senator Ryan on tabling the Bill and highlighting what is an important topic. I hope he will accept the Minister's invitation to withdraw the Bill in order that aspects of it can be examined which would enhance what is already on the Statute Book.

As other speakers have said genealogy is becoming quite an interest for family histories and family trees and is important from a tourism point of view. In New Ross we developed with a university in Philadelphia the history of those who emigrated from Ireland from the mid-19th century onwards from the manuscripts of the various shipping lines which left Ireland and Liverpool.

I support the thrust and the sentiments of much of what is contained in the Bill. I hope the important aspects which threaten what is already in existence will be undertaken.