My Department operates a comprehensive screening policy in relation to incoming e-mails. This policy results in a range of e-mails being blocked from entering the Department including those which have been detected by the Department's virus checking software. A large number of e-mails are blocked from entry to the Department and it is not possible to provide the Deputy with the number of occasions which viruses have occurred in such e-mails. However, by way of example, I am informed that within the last month, during a general outbreak of virus-related emailing via the internet, approximately 400 e-mails with viruses where blocked and dealt with by the Department's virus detection software over a period of a few days. In general, while there is a steady stream of viruses in circulation, with occasional peaks such as that mentioned above, my Department's computer networks have not, so far, been compromised due to virus attacks and there has been no down-time resulting from e-mails which contain viruses. Of course, we must remain vigilant.