What we do

Archives & Government Services

Archives and Government Services is primarily responsible for collecting and managing records as stipulated by statute in the National Archives Act, 1986.

These include records of all departments of state over 30 years old, the records of 61 scheduled bodies as set out in the Act, the records of the Courts at all levels and tribunals or bodies established by government.

Archives Management

Archives Management provides guidelines for government departments and the courts on the transfer of records to the National Archives.

They are also responsible for the provision of training to bodies covered by the National Archives Act, 1986 on the transfer of records to the custody of the National Archives and their release to the public.

Much of the work of the section involves the creation of finding aids (catalogues) to our records holdings, the administration of the online catalogue and the listing of recent and backlog transfers. The section also works closely with colleagues in Public Services and Conservation to ensure the provision of a high quality public service, including contributing to the Duty Archivist rota and to help with queries from members of the public.

Head of Division: Helen Hewson, Keeper

Head of Section (departmental records): Mary Mackey, Senior Archivist

Head of Section (court records): Hazel Menton, Senior Archivist

Contact: [email protected]

Current Records

Current Records provides advice and guidance to government departments and public service bodies on a range of matters relating to the management of records under their control. The section is responsible for administering requests to destroy records that do not merit permanent preservation under the terms stipulated in the National Archives Act, 1986. The destruction of records by departments and bodies subject to the National Archives Act, 1986 is prohibited without a destruction certificate signed by the Director of the National Archives.

Head of Division: Helen Hewson, Keeper

Head of Section: Antoinette Doran, Senior Archivist

Contact: [email protected]

Further information on the Division can be found in the Services to Government section of the website.