Vol. 493 No. 3
14 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, was assigned responsibility for the year 2000 computer problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14232/98]
I have been assigned responsibility for the year 2000 business awareness campaign, since January last. This is an informal assignment and is not therefore covered by the order delegating ministeristal functions.
It is a matter for each individual business and other users of computers systems to assess the implications of the year 2000 on their particular systems and to determine the solution. It is important that Irish businesses address the issue immediately, as the cost of ignoring the problem could ultimately be far greater than the cost of solving the problem at this stage.
Where the Government can help is in raising awareness of the issue and by providing guidelines to businesses to help them tackle the problem. Approximately 100,000 copies of an awareness leaflet on the year 2000 computer problem, prepared by our Department in June 1997, with the assistance of Forfás and IBEC, have been distributed to industry, chambers of commerce and county and city enterprise boards ‘CCEBs' throughout the country. This leaflet suggests initial steps to be taken to enable industries IT systems deal with the date change.
Some recent research on the year 2000 problem has indicated that, while there is a high level of awareness of the problem, the level of action to deal with the problem, particularly among SMEs, still falls below what is required. Accordingly on May 6 last, I launched a National Business Awareness Campaign, with which I am personally involved. A further and more comprehensive brochure outlining the nature and implications of the problem and giving advice on how to go about dealing with it has been, and is being circulated to businesses both directly and indirectly through industrial development agencies, county and city enterprise boards and chambers of commerce. I arranged to have copies of this brouchure circulated to all Deputies and Senators. In addition a series of regional public meetings have been held to highlight awareness of the problem. I have personally impressed on participants at these meetings the urgency of the need to address the issue.
Our Department and I myself, have also had discussion with representatives of the financial sector, the insurance industry, the accountancy bodies and others including the IT sector to seek their assistance in highlighting the need for Irish businesses to take action. These interests have agreed to support the Government's campaign and I have established a national steering committee representing a range of relevant business organisations and State agencies to oversee the campaign and implement it at the level of their constituent membership.
