Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to an article in a newspaper (details supplied) that states that the College of Arms in London has difficulties recognising Irish grants and confirmations of arms because of the questions regarding their legal validity; and that this may be causing embarrassing difficulties for certain individuals domiciled outside the State who received grants from the Chief Herald of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36538/06]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position of copyright in respect of arms granted by the Chief Herald of Ireland between 1 April 1943 and the coming into effect of S.I. No. 219/2005; Bord Leabharlann Náisiúnta Na hÉireann (Establishment Day) Order 2005 on 3 May 2005; if copyright was transferred to the grantee by virtue of the letters patent issued by the Chief Herald of Ireland during that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36539/06]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will confirm newspaper report (details supplied) that in or about June 2002 the Attorney General advised the Chief Herald of Ireland that he had no power to grant arms and that the genealogical office was in effect an illegal organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36540/06]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if in view of the fact that the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 only recognised the existence of the Genealogical Office as a branch of the National Library and thereby confirmed the status quo which had existed since 1943, he will agree that primary legislation is now required to empower the Chief Herald to continue granting arms and to retrospectively validate grants made from 1943 when the Genealogical Office was established by the Allocation of Administration (Genealogical Office) Order, 1943 following the transfer of the title and functions of the former Crown Office to London and the transfer of the records and treasures of that office to the State [36541/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 to 361, inclusive, together.

I have no statutory function in relation to the grant of arms in question. S. I. No. 219 of 2005 established the National Library of Ireland as an autonomous non-commercial semi-state body under the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997. The matters raised are thus a day to day matter for the National Library of Ireland.

I refer the Deputy to Section 12 (2) b and 13 (1), (2) and (3) of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 in regard to the status of the Chief Herald and the copyright question. I have not been advised by the Board of the NLI that there are deficiencies in the underpinning legislation. Should such deficiencies arise I would expect the Board to bring them to my attention.