Using Government Publications in the Library
Government Publications from 1985 to date
These more recent publications are on open access in the compact shelving on the ground floor of the Library and can be located by searching the Library Catalogue.
For example, if you are researching an essay on “Official Drugs Policy in Ireland”:
- Open the library catalogue and enter the key terms: Drugs Ireland
- A list of available items will be displayed, a number of which will be clearly listed as available in Official Publications.
- Note: the Holdings screen will verify exactly where the publication is held. Click on the class number for a map.
- As you will see some older material may not be on open access.
The material is held in pamphlet boxes and some care should be taken when looking for material.
Government Publications Pre -1985
These are older publications held for safekeeping in the Law Librarian’s office. These are not yet fully catalogued, although a number of important Commission reports are on the library catalogue (the given location is Law Office).
There is a card index of the pre-1985 publications which we use when searching for an item. Due to their age Library users may be asked to consult these reports in the Special Collections Reading Room.
Dáil & Seanad Debates
These are held in the compact shelving next to the Official Publications shelves. The Dáil Debates are also available online on the Oireachtas website.
Dáil Committees
A small collection of these are held in the compact shelving next to the Dáil Debates. The Oireachtas website contains all material about the current work and minutes of the Dáil Committees.
Be aware…
Be aware that having the official name of the report rather than the shorthand title can be very important.
e.g. the 1958 Whittaker Report is correctly entitled the “First Programme for Economic Expansion”
Pre-Independence Ireland
Queries about official sources from pre-independence Ireland are normally dealt with by Special Collections. We have a collection of UK statutes from 1800 held in storage and many pre-independence papers of Irish interest are available on the House of Commons Parliamentary Papers online, accessible through the Library Catalogue. We also hold a collection of pre-1800 Irish statutes enacted prior to the Act of Union.
