Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for my absence when Senator Ó Murchú introduced the Bill. I was attending a committee meeting.

As with Senator Ó Clochartaigh, I welcome the spirit and intent of the Bill. The Seanad had a useful debate previously on the valuable work done by the Central Statistics Office. I share the Minister of State's views on the splendid work done by the CSO. We are not in a position to undermine the commitment that was given to people at the time. While we make favourable comparisons with the 1911 census, the 100 year rule did not apply to it and it was not so confined. We live in an age where we are surrounded by Google and Facebook and there is much discussion about the invasion of privacy. We are always encouraging people, especially the young, to appreciate the value of privacy settings. The issue of privacy echoes in our discussion of this Bill.

Speakers have eloquently outlined the reasons for publishing the 1926 census and I share the view that we love to dig around in our past. It is important to people to have a better understanding and an ownership of history. It is ironic that the Internet and our alleged connection to a cyber-world helps us find our real roots and connections. Senator Ó Murchú has been dedicated to this issue, particularly through his involvement with the Irish Family History Foundation and the work done by county genealogical offices, which have shown the enormous interest people have in trying to trace who they are and where they came from. Many types of records come into play, for example, church and school records and in some cases prison records. All of these show that we are desperate to reach out to our past. As such, I fully understand the intent behind, and reasons for, the Bill.

The gap between the 1910 and 1926 censuses was long.

The years in that gap are so important given that our country changed so much in such a short space of time. Bearing in mind the upcoming 2016 commemoration, that we are still waiting to be allowed access to this information seems almost cruel. However, as we wish to protect the reputation of the CSO, we find ourselves unable to agree to the Bill even though on the face of it, we would like to.

Given programmes such as "Who Do You Think You Are?" the area of genealogy has become something we can all enjoy. It is no longer left to specialists. Those involved in county genealogy work very hard to make it something people can access and enjoy. Many people have discussed The Gathering and we have had great clan gatherings. In recent months we have had the Gallaghers in Donegal, the O'Rourkes in Sligo and the O'Haras in Leitrim. Those looking back to try to find their families and so forth have found the experience enormously interesting. While perhaps in the mid-1950s many people might have preferred to have forgotten and wanted to put in the past what was the past, in a new century people are now leaning towards looking to the past and trying to reinvent and enjoy it.

I applaud the spirit of Senator Ó Murchú's Bill but unfortunately I cannot support it.