Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 6

Written Answers. - Computer Programmes.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

71 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has to mount a major advertising campaign to alert the public to any dangers that may arise from the year 2000 bug; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8205/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

72 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of speeches and statements she has made in relation to the year 2000 problem; the dates and occasions in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8208/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Treacy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.

As Minister with responsibility for the year 2000 business awareness campaign I launched in December last the Enterprise Ireland information programme which will concentrate on small and medium sized enterprises, as these are the sectors most in need of initiating action on the subject. I refer the Deputy to my reply of 24 March 1999, to Question No. 8334/99, where I gave details of the information campaign. This campaign includes an advertising campaign which was conducted recently over a four week period in newspapers and on radio. This will be relaunched for two weeks after Easter on radio only as this medium has had the greatest impact. To try to accurately gauge their preparedness, Enterprise Ireland are initiating a comprehensive national survey on the levels of compliance of Irish companies. As soon as the first results are available, an assessment will be made as to whether a further advertising campaign is justifiable.

Since I initiated the year 2000 business awareness campaign, I have availed of every possible opportunity over the last year to bring this issue to as wide an audience as possible. I have addressed a very large number of meetings on the subject, all around the country, both directly in connection with the campaign and also at events organised by other bodies and organisations. The business awareness campaign included seven regional conferences and concluded with a major conference in Dublin which was addressed by the Taoiseach. In view of the foregoing, I do not consider that a major advertising campaign directed at the general public is currently justified. The topic has received huge media coverage over the last two years. The most effective way to minimise the impact on the public is to encourage the business community to achieve compliance.