Sir, - I see that some genealogical organisations are protesting against the National Cultural Institutions Bill proposal to subsume the Genealogical Office totally into the National Library of Ireland. Contrary to published claims, the Genealogical Office was founded not in 1552 or even 1482, but in 1943, when it replaced the old Office of Arms. Though attached to the National Library of Ireland, the Genealogical Office over the years became progressively detached from its duty to provide a free basic level of public service.
In so far as there has been some improvement in public access to the Genealogical Office in the past year or so, it relates to the decision of the Director of the National Library to run the place on the same equitable basis as other Library departments, and ultimately to her assumption of the post of Chief Herald following a government decision in September 1995.
The Genealogical Office needs to be completely integrated into the newly structured National Library, and the Cultural Institutions Bill removes any statutory doubts which could lead to a reemergence of past problems.
However, the matter should be viewed in the light of the larger issue of improving staffing levels and research facilities in state repositories such as the National Library and National Archives. Your columnist, Dr FitzGerald, warned recently that the National Archives was in serious difficulties, and the main deficiency of the Cultural Institutions Bill is the omission of any substantial proposals in relation to this repository.
These are the issues which a sensible genealogical lobby should be addressing. - Yours, etc.,
Carrig,
Cliff Road,
Windgates,
Bray,
Co. Wicklow.