Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress on the amalgamation of the National Library of Ireland, the National Archives and the Manuscripts Commission; if legislation will be required to enact the amalgamation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2254/09]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress on the planned amendment of the National Archives Act 1986; when he expects this to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2275/09]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the National Library of Ireland, the National Archives and the Manuscripts Commission will be amalgamated; the amount he expects will be saved as a result of this amalgamation; his views on whether this amalgamation is feasible and practical; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2548/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 118 and 214 together.

I would like to advise the House that the National Archives, the National Library of Ireland, and the Irish Manuscripts Commission are distinct institutions, established under various legislative acts. Accordingly, the merger of these organisations will require primary legislation.

As I stated in my reply to Questions Nos. 76, 77 and 84 on 19th November 2008, the corporate, legislative and accommodation positions of each of the Institutions is being examined with a view to drawing up a plan of action to give effect to the Government decision. My Department is also investigating the functional and logistical requirements of each institution and the adjustments which will be required. The challenges here are detailed and multi-faceted and it would be premature at this point to give definite dates. A consultative process with the Directors of the Institutions referred to above is underway under various headings including governance, shared management structures, unified support services and resources.