Vol. 502 No. 5
24 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps, if any, his Department is taking to minimise dangers to marine traffic or rescue operations arising from the year 2000 computer problem. [8569/99]
A number of key steps have been taken by my Department in an effort to minimise dangers to marine traffic or rescue operations from the year 2000 computer problem. As previous advised to the House my Department and the Irish Marine Emergency Service are well advanced in their action programme to address the Y2K compliance issues for IT systems, office equipment and other plant with a view to achieving early compliance.
All systems and equipment at the various offices and locations have been identified and their assessment in terms of whether or not they comply is virtually complete. All operating systems have been upgraded and non-compliant servers have been replaced. Work has commenced on the installation of upgraded communications links between Dublin offices and remote locations for completion in early April 1999. Outside expertise has been obtained to test and modify PCs for completion by end April 1999. The Department aims to replace any non-compliant items of non-IT equipment, mostly fax machines and photocopiers, by end May 1999.
In addition to its own facilities for search and rescue response my Department also depends on facilities "declared" by other organisations. As regards the facilities which have been "declared" to the Irish Marine Emergency Service, my Department has sought assurances on Y2K compliance from these organisations and is awaiting their Y2K audit results.
The Y2K issue must be tackled on two fronts, namely in the Department's own search and rescue communications systems and within the marine industry itself. In line with Government action generally my Department initiated an awareness campaign targeting the marine and fisheries sector on the need for plans of action to deal with the Y2K problem. A marine notice issued on 28 September setting out guidelines for practical corrective strategies. The notice sets out a basic strategy which may be adopted in achieving Y2K compliance in the shipping sector. I can assure the Deputy and the industry that we will continue to support and advise in every way possible.
