Sir, - With reference to the National Cultural Institutions Bill, we wish to express our concern at Section 13, beaded "Dissolution of Genealogical Office and transfer of its functions to Board of Library".
The proposed steps outlined in this section are not consistent with statements which Mr Higgins made this time last year. In a letter to The Irish Times on October 19th, 1995 he stated: "I am adamant that the functions of the Genealogical Office need to be preserved inclusive of the functions of heraldry, as these roles constitute a valuable cultural resource for the country North and South.
Replying to Senator Mooney in Seanad Eireann on October 25th, he said: "I assure the Senator that the Genealogical Office is not being abolished, nor is the work of the office being in any way diminished". It appears that the Minister has forgotten these guarantees for its future.
There has been no call, certainly beyond administrative circles, for the demise of the oldest national cultural institution on this island. The Genealogical Office is a symbolic focal point for the Irish diaspora. Rather than dissolving it, the Bill should be expanding its functions to allow it keep, abreast of developments in this area. Surely Minister Higgins cannot think that interest in Irish genealogy is on the decline? In purely monetary terms, the GO is an important component in the field of "heritage" tourism.
Could it be that the proposal to retain its lucrative heraldic functions for the National Library's Board is more to do with finding an easy source of revenue for this new board than with appreciating its value in cultural terms?
In Seanad Eireann on the same occasion, the Minister referred to the view put forward that it might be better to establish the GO as an entirely separate entity. He added that he would be happy to listen to the arguments put forward and examine any points made on their merits, once the broader legislative proposals are published and as they are proceeding through the Oireachtas". These proposals are not what we expected. We are currently preparing a submission and we want his guarantee that it will be given serious consideration.
Yours, etc.,
Hon secretary,
Council of Irish Genealogical
Organisations,
21 St Brigid's Grove,
Killester,
Dublin 5.