asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he is aware that an historical file of the ITGWU entrusted to the Registry of Friendly Societies has been mislaid, that the writing of the history of the union is being delayed as a result, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Some time ago, I was informed by the Registry of Friendly Societies that the earliest records of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union retained in the registry—those dating from registration in 1909 to 1925—had been mislaid. The registrar assured me that he had undertaken very extensive searches of all records held in the registry but regrettably was unable to locate the misplaced documents.

Furthermore, a very extensive search of Departmental files was also carried out but without success.

The Registrar of Friendly Societies has conveyed to me his concern at the failure to locate the records. He regrets the inconvenience caused to the union in compiling the union's history by the absence of these records. I think it must be admitted that the period in question was a very troubled one in Irish history and that, furthermore, the location of the registry has had to be changed on several occasions since that time. Should the misplaced records come to hand the union will, of course, be immediately notified.