Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted that Senator Ó Murchú has introduced this Bill. He is performing the function of a Senator, which is to propose legislation rather than simply discuss it. This Bill is both simple and eminently sensible. It will create a major opportunity for historians and society at large. I have studied the published census details online and they are fascinating to behold. The Cathaoirleach will be interested to learn that my family on my father's side is listed as living not far from the Cathaoirleach's home in County Mayo. The Bill enjoys widespread support and it would be remiss of the Seanad to prevent it from progressing beyond Second Stage. I hope there are no major objections to the legislation. If technical issues arise, they can easily be addressed on Committee Stage.

This would be a huge prize for the genealogy industry in particular. There is considerable interest among Americans and others in investigating their Irish ancestry but, for various reasons, information is lacking for certain periods of our history. This Bill would greatly add to our store of knowledge and benefit tourism. The publication of this census will encourage more people to visit the country.

We can overstate the problem of personal information on census forms but they only hold a small amount of such information. I understand that the questions asked in the 1926 census are not as thorough as those asked in more recent censuses. I do not know whether the remaining few people who are still alive would object but I do not see a problem. I am sure they would be interested in looking back at their own families' circumstances in 1926.

Senator Ó Murchú has introduced this Bill at an opportune moment and the Seanad should consider it further on Committee Stage and send it to the Dáil. That seems to be everybody's wish.