Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
440. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he has been advised by the Board of the National Library of Ireland of the reason that the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland has been unable to accept applications from the public and members of the Irish diaspora for the provision of heraldic services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15197/25]
View answer441. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures his Department will take to ensure that the Board of the National Library of Ireland has sufficient resources to provide the State's heraldic services in accordance with sections 12 and 13 of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15198/25]
View answer442. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media his plans to bring forward amending legislation to provide for the regularisation and confirmation of the legislative status of the grants of arms made by the Chief Herald's of Ireland between 1 April 1943 and 3 May 2005 when the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 was commenced, and during which period the State had no legislative authority to grant arms as confirmed by successive Attorneys General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15199/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 440, 441 and 442 together.
While my Department provides funding to the national cultural institutions, the management and board of each institution are responsible for all operational matters and I do not have a statutory function in this regard.
Heraldic responsibility for Ireland was historically under the remit of the Office of the Ulster King of Arms, founded in 1552. However since 1943, the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland has operated as part of the National Library of Ireland, with responsibility for the granting and confirming of arms to individuals and corporate bodies in Ireland. The National Cultural Institutions Act of 1997 sets out the statutory functions of the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland.
The National Library of Ireland is a statutory agency under the aegis of my Department and its funding allows the Library to carry out its functions as the library of record for Ireland. The National Library has not raised any concerns with my Department about the legal status of grants of arms made prior to 2005.
In 2025 the Exchequer allocation to the National Library of Ireland for current expenditure was increased by almost 6%, to €10.334 million, and €478,000 in funding was also provided for ongoing capital expenditures.
