Vol. 503 No. 4
80 Mr. Stanton asked the Taoiseach the agencies under the auspices on his Department which have declared themselves to be year 2000 compliant; the agencies, if any, yet to make such a declaration; when he expects such a declaration, if any, to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10405/99]
While the question does not refer directly to all of the following offices, I inform the Deputy that the offices of NESC, the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution, the National Centre for Partnership, the Information Society Commission, the Attorney General, the Chief State Solicitor and the Moriarty tribunal in Dublin Castle are compliant and that the offices of the Law Reform Commission, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Central Statistics Office are expected to be compliant by July 1999.
81 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the investigations, if any, being carried out by trade missions abroad to ensure that overseas trading partners are making adequate progress with regard to the year 2000 computer challenge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10383/99]
86 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to any legislation introduced in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand or any EU country regarding the difficulties caused by the advent of the year 2000 on the operation of computers; her views on the legislation, if any, in any other country which could impact on business or trade relations with these countries; the plans, if any, she has to introduce any legislation with reference to the year 2000 problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10404/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 86 together.
The Government emphasis in this area has been on raising awareness of the various issues involved. One of these issues has been the need for individual businesses to clarify the security of their trading arrangements with business partners. It would be neither appropriate nor possible for the Government to attempt to check on the state of Y2K preparedness of the wide range of countries with which Ireland trades.
I am aware of the variety of responses in other countries to this global issue. The Government campaign on the Y2K issue for Ireland, which has been carefully considered in the context of our specific needs, has already been recognised abroad as putting us to the fore in terms of preparedness. I am pleased to note that the State's efforts have been recognised internationally. Studies by international observers put Ireland in the same league as Australia, Canada, Holland, the UK and the USA at the best state of readiness. It is not considered that specific legislation would be helpful in this regard.
