Vol. 497 No. 2
96 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the progress, if any, made following the publication of a framework for Ireland's policy on cryptography and electronic signatures; and when Ireland will be in a position to give full legal recognition to digital signatures and the establishment of a voluntary certification authority accreditation system. [24688/98]
My Department is in the process of preparing legislation to provide for the legal recognition of electronic signatures and for the establishment of a system of accredited certification authorities to authenticate electronic signatures in accordance with the policy statement announced in June this year. We are anxious to ensure that any legislation which may be put in place in Ireland will be in accord with the emerging EU Directive on electronic signatures which will be considered at Council this week with a view to possible political agreement on a common position. It is anticipated that, on this basis, heads of a Bill will be published early in 1999.
