Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the recent revelations on RTÉ television regarding the influx of Nazi war criminals into this country after World War II, he will release all relevant files on this matter for future researchers, academics and all those interested in historical accuracy. [6428/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I would refer the Deputy to my comprehensive reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1037 and 1040 on 31st January 2007 in relation to this matter.

In that reply, I pointed out that I have no involvement in determining which files should be withheld under the National Archives Act; that is entirely a matter for Departmental officials.

As I indicated in my previous reply, I am conscious of the need to find an appropriate balance between the release of material that is of public and historic interest and the right of individuals to be protected from distress or danger that the release of personal information might cause. I therefore asked the Department to carry out a further review of the historic files in question, in consultation with other relevant bodies as appropriate, including the Department of the Taoiseach and the National Archives. That review is currently under way.