Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss this important topic in the Seanad. I wish to put on the record my firm belief that the census of population is one of the most important sources of information for policy making and planning in Ireland and is widely used by all sectors of society.

The census in Ireland enjoys great support from the public who trust the Central Statistics Office, CSO, to gather and store their data in a professional and proper manner. The census of population undertaken in 1926 was the first undertaken by an independent Irish State and is an historical collection of great value and interest for historians, researchers, the general public and the diaspora. The debate this evening demonstrates this.

Following the release of records from the 1901 and 1911 censuses, there is a greater appreciation and understanding across society of the value of these important historical documents. I would encourage anyone present who has not checked out the 1901 and 1911 censuses to do so. In 2013, the year of The Gathering, significant numbers of our diaspora returned to Ireland, many with an interest in tracing their roots and Irish ancestry. In this context the question of enabling the publication of the 1926 census returns is important and timely.

While I welcome the debate this evening I do, however, speak in opposition to Senator Ó Murchú's Bill. The question of publishing the 1926 census ahead of schedule is a complex legal and technical one. The Government is of the view that early publication, before vital preparatory work has been undertaken, is premature and that there are a number of issues requiring further consideration before a decision to publish could be made. As the Senator will be aware, the programme for Government refers to the publication of the 1926 census to stimulate genealogical tourism. Release of the 1901 and 1911 censuses generated great interest. The Government understands the particular importance of the 1926 census.

The 1901-11 census project, which was carried out as a co-operative project on a repayment basis by Library and Archives Canada with the Irish National Archives cost approximately €5 million. The 1901-11 census material was, for the most part, available in microfilm format. This made the digitisation process relatively cost effective and enabled relatively efficient delivery. The 1926 census has never been microfilmed and I understand that a significant level of work is required to scan and cross-index the individual return sheets. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Deenihan, has established a 1926 census working group, which comprises officials from his Department, the National Archives and the CSO to consider how best to enable the publication of the 1926 census. The CSO and National Archives have agreed to facilitate the preparatory work on the census records.

For the information of this House, it is worth noting that this census was undertaken under the 1926 Statistics Act, which did not permit access to census records at any time. The 1993 Act repealed the 1926 and 1946 Acts and provided for the release of census forms 100 years after the date of the relevant census. This applies to censuses from the 1926 census onwards. When the 100 years access was debated in the Seanad in 1993 the view was expressed that the time period for confidentiality should be reduced to 75 or even 50 years. On the other hand, the retrospective introduction of the 100 years exemption was seen by some as undermining the original guarantee given to householders that the information would not be released. However, it was generally accepted that 100 years was a reasonable compromise given that relatively few people would still be alive after that length of time. This means that under the current legislation, the 1926 census records will be open to the public by the National Archives in the year 2026. By that time, almost all of the persons covered in the 1926 census will be deceased.

The 2011 census results showed fewer than 400 persons aged 100 years or more. There were, however, some 58,000 persons aged 85 years or older, most of whom would be likely to have been entered on a 1926 census return. Releasing the 1926 forms might be seen as reneging on the guarantee given to the significant number of persons still alive today. It is, therefore, a delicate issue that requires to be approached with great sensitivity and caution. Some have suggested releasing only information for those born prior to 1912. However, the situation is that the 100 years rule refers to the relevant census formsin question and not the age of the individualsrecorded on them. Therefore, regardless of the age of the individual in question, the data cannot be released until 100 years after the date of the census.

Of the pre-Independence censuses, only the 1901 and 1911 census returns remain intact today. The census records for the years 1821 to 1891 have been destroyed, many as a result of the destruction of the Public Records Office during the Civil War. The 1901 and 1911 censuses were undertaken under legislation which made no provision for the confidentiality of the information recorded on them. These records were deposited in the Public Record Office in 1929 and were made available as public records in 1961 via a warrant made by the Minister for Justice under the Public Records (Ireland) Act 1867. They are now among the most frequently used records in the National Archives.

To put this debate in a comparative context, it may be helpful to note the position in a number of other countries. Public access to census records only after a lengthy period is the practice in many countries. In the UK and New Zealand, a 100-year rule applies. In Canada, census returns are released after 92 years and, accordingly, its 1921 census returns are being gradually made available this year. In Australia, a 99-year rule applies and in the United States returns are released after only 72 years. In considering the publication of the 1926 census, the Government must also bear in mind any possible impact that early release might have on the confidence of the public in the guarantees of confidentiality given by the CSO to its respondents. For example, the people who completed the 2011 census understood the 100-year rule would apply. To change this could, therefore, be damaging to the confidentiality and collection of the census.

Independence, objectivity and the guarantee of confidentiality are the core values of all official statistics produced by the Central Statistics Office. The CSO has a long-standing reputation for protecting the information it collects. Confidentiality and privacy are correctly issues of great concern for members of the public. The legal guarantee of confidentiality that comes with the census and the untarnished reputation enjoyed by the CSO for upholding this guarantee in practice are important factors in persuading the public to disclose private information on the census form.

In a broader context, the Central Statistics Office conducts vitally important work in producing and publishing official statistics across a range of indicators. As such, further consideration is required of the confidentiality issues and their potential impact before an amendment could be agreed to the 1993 Act in the manner proposed. Great care must be taken to ensure any change would not undermine public confidence in the Central Statistics Office in a manner that could have the potential to seriously damage the return of data by respondents.

I thank Senator Ó Murchú for bringing the Bill to the House. As Minister of State with responsibility for the Central Statistics Office, I note the Government's appreciation of the important public service role of the office. The CSO serves Ireland well and publishes a vast range of statistics on the economy, society and other important topics. This information is used by Departments and public bodies, as well as European Union institutions, the International Monetary Fund, the OECD and other international bodies. I am committed to developing official statistics to support effective policy and planning. For the reasons I have outlined, however, the Government is not in a position to support the Bill.