Vol. 505 No. 6
48 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that all local authorities are taking adequate steps to ensure that they are year 2000 compliant and that there will be no disruption of services arising from millennium computer problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14362/99]
Local authorities are reporting progress with their remedial programmes to my Department every two months. From those returns it is clear that all local authorities now have substantial remedial programmes in place and are progressing well with those programmes.
The compliance of so called "embedded systems" which are used in water supply, sewage treatment and traffic control systems has been identified as critical to the continued supply of these services. In order to assist local authorities in this area, a firm of consultants, specialising in the compliance of embedded systems has been engaged. These consultants are now visiting local authorities, providing technical assistance and monitoring progress with their remedial programmes. Having recently completed an assessment of all local authorities the consultants are firmly of the view that there is no increased threat to these critical services as a result of Year 2000 compliance issues.
Taking this into account and the other vigorous efforts being made by local authorities throughout the country, I am satisfied that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure that remedial work will be completed in the time remaining.
