Vol. 531 No. 1
58 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in view of an article in a newspaper (details supplied) on 5 February 2001, she will state the steps she has taken to ensure that the use of her Department's e-mail and Internet facilities are properly regulated; if a policy on the use of these facilities exists; when the policy was last updated; when the policy was last circulated to staff. [5105/01]
My Department has a policy in place in relation to the use of e-mail and Internet facilities. The policy was last updated in October 1999 and was communicated to all staff. This policy states that the e-mail and Internet facilities are provided to assist staff in carrying out the business of the Department. It indicates that the Department reserves the right to monitor and control messages sent via e-mail. It requires staff to ensure that messages are courteous, professional and businesslike. The policy indicates that it constitutes a violation of the code to, inter alia, send e-mail messages containing offensive, disparaging or harassing messages.
In light of developments such as those referred to in the newspaper article quoted by the Deputy, my Department recently undertook a review of the policy in relation to e-mail and Internet facilities. The revised policy, which will include a reference to voicemail facilities, will issue to all staff shortly.
The use of e-mail and Internet facilities is continuously monitored in my Department. The Department also keeps abreast of developments in technology designed to prevent abuse of the e-mail and Internet facilities. My Department is currently upgrading its security systems in this regard and is in the process of selecting new software to monitor and control all electronic communications into and out of the Department by e-mail or the Internet.
