DEBATE: Is historian Diarmuid Ferriter right about Mary Robinson's archive?

HISTORIAN and UCD lecturer and historian Diarmuid Ferriter has criticised plans by Mayo County Council to invest €1.5 million in the new Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina, which will house the former president’s archive.

He claimed the former president should follow the practice of her predecessors and donate her papers to the National Library, the National Archives or one of the national universities.

Is he right?

The Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina will cost in the region of €8.3 million – with Mayo County Council committing €1.5 million, the Department of the Taoiseach providing €2 million and the balance being matched by philanthropic funding.

The chief executive of Mayo County Council, Peter Hynes, has defended plans to house Mary Robinson’s invaluable collection of papers at an ongoing research and education centre in her hometown, describing it as an investment in the future for Ballina and Mayo.

Is he right?

Let us know your views on a debate that is gathering momentum.