David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was thinking in terms of the genealogical aspect, and records already exist including parish records, censuses and so on. It seems to be unnecessarily restrictive. I do not see any reason the Minister should not accept the amendments. I was in the House when Prime Minister Hawke from Australia was visiting and there was an exchange between him and the then Taoiseach of genealogical information regarding Irish people in Australia. That had the effect of increasing tourism. I refer to the recent phenomenon of The Gathering when people returned to Ireland looking for their roots. What Senator Quinn is attempting to do, in association with the Genealogical Society of Ireland, is to ensure continued access to this information.

If the Minister can guarantee and put it on the record of the House that access to this kind of information will not be barred under the operation of this Act, I am sure the House will be satisfied but it is important that people interested in their family background and the general conditions in the country should not be frustrated. It is part of our culture and our history, and it should be accessible to citizens.