Sir, – I note calls to digitise the census records for 1926 (August 14th).
In taking census data, much emphasis is given to the confidentiality of the data collected, and rightly so.
The census material for 1901 and 1911 has been digitised and is available online. The number of individuals whose privacy was violated was negligible.
The situation regarding the 1926 data is different. Many people recorded in that census are alive.
Even though the confidentiality of the 1926 data may not have been assured, how can one have any confidence in assurances about privacy and confidentiality regarding recent census material when the authorities do not apply their undertakings to more historic data?
Perhaps that is a justifiable and legitimate cause for withholding future census data. – Yours, etc,
JOHN BARNEWELL,
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.