asked the Taoiseach if it is intended to introduce legislation to govern the transfer of governmental and departmental papers to the State Paper Office; and, if so, if he will give details of such legislation and the likely date of its introduction.

Legislation on National Archives is being prepared by my Department.

This legislation has been in preparation for the last ten years and the last Bill on National Archives was passed in 1863. I know from conversations with the Taoiseach that he is deeply aware of the problems we have encountered in this very important matter. Very important archives have been misplaced——

A question, please, Deputy.

When this legislation is being prepared would the Taoiseach get in touch with the people in the UCD Archives Department and other interested parties with a view to expediting and clarifying this legislation which is very urgently needed because there is a danger we will lose very valuable documents on the history of this State?

I will make careful note of what the Deputy is saying and I will be glad to accept his suggestion.

Have the heads of the Bill been circulated to the Cabinet?

No, it has not arrived to that stage yet.

4.

asked the Taoiseach the latest year in respect of which Government papers have been transferred to the State Paper Office; and if these papers are available to public scrutiny.

Government Papers up to February 1948 are already available to the public in the State Paper Office and I have recently approved the transfer to that office of the papers for the 1948-1951 period.