It has been an honourable tradition by distinguished people nearing the end of their lives to bequeath their documents and archive papers to the State. Traditionally, people in the worlds of letters and politics have done this.

I just hope that I am not near the end of my life.

The Senator will have an opportunity again tomorrow.

I think of neighbours from Listowel, Dr. Brian McMahon and Dr. John B. Keane, who bequeathed their papers to University College Dublin and Trinity College, respectively. It has been the tradition of those who held the office of Uachtarán na hÉireann to come to an arrangement to give their papers, the papers of an outgoing President-----

May I gently remind Senator O'Sullivan that we should not be discussing a President in the House.

I am not discussing Presidents per se. I am discussing a tradition whereby those who held the office of President, such as Eamon de Valera, Paddy Hillery and Cearbhail Ó Dálaigh, have bequeathed their papers to the State. In fact, the current incumbent, President Michael D. Higgins, has already given his papers to date to the National Library. A new precedent appears to be being set in the west. I am not going into any personal-----

The Senator cannot name anybody

I think it is fairly significant that private auctioneers are being asked to put a valuation on something as precious as the archive of a prominent person in our State. I will not go into further details.

We cannot criticise those who are not in the House.

I accept the Chair's concerns but I have a valid point as there has been public comment on this issue for quite a while. We must respect the rights of politicians to do what they will, but where the State becomes involved and outside auctioneers are putting a value on something as precious as this, it is time for the ordinary people to express their concern.

This is not relevant to the Order of Business.

This is where I am expressing my concern.

I thank the Senator