Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Access to State Papers.
- Access to State Papers 10 speeches
The review of access arrangements is nearly complete, with results expected soon and a National Archives Bill planned for the session. Horgan criticized inconsistent departmental access, especially Foreign Affairs’ restrictions; MacSharry said researchers had sometimes been given access subject to official clearance and confirmed legislation was intended.
John Horgan, Raymond MacSharry, Garrett Fitzgerald
- Who answers Public Service questions 8 speeches
Kelly questioned whether the Minister of State would continue answering questions for the Department. The Ceann Comhairle ruled the question out of order, while MacSharry and Colley defended the practice and Kelly disputed that it was longstanding.
John M. Kelly, Joseph Brennan, John Lynch, Raymond MacSharry, George Colley
- Cabinet minutes and State Papers 2 speeches
Blaney asked whether Cabinet minutes were included in the State Papers access arrangements; MacSharry said papers had been released up to 9 June 1944.
Neil T.C. Blaney, Raymond MacSharry
asked the Minister for the Public Service the progress which has been made in the review of Government policy on access to State Papers announced by him in reply to a Parliamentary Question of 15 December 1977.
Comment on this
The review referred to by the Minister involved consideration of the access arrangements and wider changes regarding national archives and public records generally. This review is well advanced and I would hope to be able to announce the results fairly soon. The introduction of a National Archives Bill has been included in the programme for the current Dáil Session.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware, pending the completion of this review, that there seems to be a different policy operating in different Departments? For example, the Department of Finance is prepared to allow access to fairly recent State papers while other Departments, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, are effectively operating a 60-year rule. Does the Minister accept that this disparity in practice as between different Departments is a healthy one?
Comment on this
When Departments were asked they facilitated individuals who were writing histories of Departments or State bodies but those individuals were governed by the Official Secrets Acts and were not allowed to publish anything without clearance by the Department concerned.
Comment on this
Does the Minister accept it is highly unsatisfactory that any historical record of our international relationships since we achieved independence has still to be compiled exclusively from non-Irish sources because of the reluctance of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in particular, to allow access to papers?
Comment on this
Will this be followed by legislation in regard to archives, work on which was far advanced when the Government changed?
Comment on this
Yes. I would hope this would be contained in the proposed Bill which will be before the Dáil this session.
Comment on this
I do not in any way mean to be offensive towards the Minister of State, but is the House to take it that, because the Minister of State answered the first of the five questions addressed to the Minister for the Public Service, all these questions for that Department from now on will be answered by the Minister of State rather than by the Minister for the Department?
Comment on this
That question does not arise and the Deputy is behaving in a disorderly manner in putting the question.
Comment on this
The Minister is sitting in front of the Minister of State and I would like to know——
Comment on this
The Deputy was complaining a short while ago about the Minister of State not doing enough work.
Comment on this
Might I ask the Minister of State whether in fact the minutes of Cabinet meetings since the foundation of the State are also involved when we talk about State papers?