Ruairí Quinn
Question:20 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach when the next phase of Irish Statutes in CD ROM format will be published; what it will include; the number which will be produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1261/99]
Written Answers. - Statute Book Publication.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:21 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the number of copies of the Irish Statutes in CD ROM format produced; when they were published; the cost of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1262/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
The Irish Statute Book, containing Acts of the Oireachtas from 1922 to 1997, in CD-ROM format went on sale on 17 December 1998. One hundred copies were released through the Government Publications Sales Office. The Statute Book was simultaneously made available on the Internet.
A further 500 copies were produced last month. Three hundred and forty went on sale last week. Another 800 copies have been ordered and are expected to be received by 15 February. The Incorporated Law Society has placed a separate order for 2,000 CDs and these will be received next week. The total cost of the contract to make the Statute Book available in electronic form is £825,000.
It is expected that the next phase of Irish Statutes in CD-ROM format will be available in May. This CD-ROM will include the Acts of the Oireachtas, statutory instruments and the chronological tables of the statutes from 1922 to 1998.
The agreed contract price provides for a further 400 CDs in the second phase of the project. The Office of the Attorney General is currently discussing the cost of obtaining additional CDs. The material will also be available on the Internet.