Madam, – As an Englishman, I hesitate to comment on the acute problems of the National Archives of Ireland, but I do understand the frustration of so many people who want to know more about the evolution of Irish government, especially during the years before 1939. My own particular interest is in the slow birth of Aer Lingus in 1936. One should be able to access the files of the former Department of Industry Commerce, in the archives in Bishop Street, Dublin, but they are just not there.
It is not just the inconvenience to the users, but withholding the files is an insult to the memory of Seán Lemass, the minister at the time, and John Leydon, the civil servant at the helm of the department. It is, of course, quite ridiculous that there is more information about the early years of Aer Lingus in British Airways, railway and state archives in London than in Dublin.
I have over the past 30 years, made several visits to the National Archives in Dublin and also to those of Aer Lingus and CIÉ. I must say that at all locations, the staff have always been most courteous and helpful. – Yours, etc,