asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of the request from historians and other interested persons for a relaxation of the restriction on access to Cabinet documents and other public papers; and if he will make these documents available.

2.

asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the demand by historians for access to Cabinet papers, permission will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

As I indicated earlier this year, the whole question of archives is under examination by all Departments following on a report of a Committee on National Archives. In advance of general developments, however, I have decided to make available for access the Government and Cabinet minutes down to, and including the Government which vacated office on the 9th June, 1944. I am arranging that the work of the transfer of this material from my Department to the State Paper Office will be put in hands as soon as possible.

I have written to the Leader of the Opposition and to all members of the Governments involved to notify them of my proposals.

I should like to congratulate the Taoiseach on making the papers available. Will he tell the House when the arrangements will be completed and when will access be available to historians?

As the Deputy will appreciate, there is a fair amount of documentation involved. It is hoped it will be possible to have them available by about February.

I presume there will be a drink in Dun Laoghaire on that some night?

It will not be the first one.