Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he intends to proceed with the amalgamation of the National Archives and The National Library despite the stated opposition of archivists and historians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21689/12]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will report on the current status of the proposal to merge the National Archives and the Irish Manuscripts Commission into the National Library of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21347/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 122 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, in November 2011 the Government announced a number of amalgamations and mergers of bodies that come within the ambit of my Department. Details of these can be accessed on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at www.per.gov.ie . Clearly, the amalgamation and merger of these bodies, including the consolidation of boards, raises complex issues, which my Department is currently examining. In that context, the views of the various interested parties are being noted and considered.

My Department has established a high-level Reform Committee and is liaising with relevant bodies, including the National Archives, the Irish Manuscripts Commission and the National Library, in order to implement the Government's Decisions in these matters as effectively and efficiently as possible. I expect to be reverting to Government on progress made in relation to this process by end-June of this year.