John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if all of the papers/documents produced by the Charlton Tribunal are available in hard copy and digital format for research or other purposes; if the responses to freedom of information requests dealt with by the Tribunal during the course of its work are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28398/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that there is a large amount of information relating to the Disclosures Tribunal available at the Tribunal’s website - www.disclosuretribunal.ie. Information on the website includes its terms of reference, daily transcripts and all its published reports. These provide a rich source of information for research or other purposes.

In accordance with Section 46 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, these records and other documents relating to the Disclosures Tribunal have been organised and filed securely in a storage facility. Files exist in both digital and hard copy formats. A register of these files is held by my Department.

Records of the Disclosure tribunal are subject to the National Archives Act 1996 and following 30 years after the dissolution of the tribunal may be released to the National Archives, as appropriate, for the benefit of research and viewing by the public.

The Deputy may wish to note that the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014 only applies to certain records related to the Disclosures Tribunal, for example, records relating to expenses or general administration. The Act does not apply to records relating to an investigation into any matter by the Disclosures Tribunal as it is governed by the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921.

I am informed that my Department would not be aware of any Freedom of Information requests received and responded to by the Disclosures Tribunal during the course of its work.