Services to government

Recalling deposited records

The National Archives Act, 1986 8(9) and Regulations 1988 11 allows for the recall of records already transferred to the National Archives, where the record is required for operational purposes.

• The Requisitioning Officer must make a formal request in writing to the Director of the National Archives providing details of the file required, including the National Archives reference code.
• The Requisitioning Officer is responsible for ensuring the return of the file to the National Archives not later than 6 months from the date of requisition, unless an extension period has been agreed by the Director of the National Archives.
• Extensions to retention periods shall be granted at the discretion of the Director, or an officer of the National Archives designated for this purpose in accordance with Regulation 11(2).
• The Requisitioning Officer is responsible for arrangements for access by the public to such archives while so requisitioned in accordance with the National Archives Act, 1986 8.
• In some cases, it may be more appropriate for the National Archives to send a copy of the file to the Department of State and retain the original to facilitate continued public access.
• Records recalled by a Department of State must not be altered in any way. No annotations or documents must be added to the file, and no documents should be removed. If new documents are created, a new file must be opened.

All enquiries about the recall of files should be directed to Archives and Government Services, National Archives, Bishop Street, Dublin D08 DF85 (tel: 01-4072300, email: [email protected]).