Vol. 536 No. 2
12 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the annual cost of the installation of the SMS messaging system operated by the Government Information Service; the number and category of recipients; the annual projected operating cost of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11917/01]
There was no installation cost of an SMS system in the Government Information Service.
There is a limited Short Message Service (SMS) system operated by the Internet press officer assigned to the Government Press Office, which is occasionally used as a supplementary information service to the political correspondents and, from time to time, other interested media. It is an enhancement to the normal fax and e-mail services provided by the press office and incorporates the latest mobile phone technology, providing an efficient and cost effective, press information service.
The recipients are, in the main, the political correspondents assigned to the press gallery at the Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas. In addition to those a small number, approximately five other members of the media, have asked to be included in the SMS.
The cost is 10p per message, which is a standard charge. On average the service is used once or twice per week, which would have a projected annual cost in the range of £78.00 to £208.00 for a 52 week service. For example, the total cost of the messaging service for the first quarter of this year from 1 January 2001 to 31 March 2001 was £36.30. The media requirement for such a service would, in the main, coincide with the normal sitting periods of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
I am impressed with the attention to detail in the Taoiseach's reply. It is a pity it was not applied to the National Stadium which might have received a similar degree of scrutiny.
I wish to clarify that this is a system whereby political correspondents and journalists can receive text messages on their mobile phones. Why is this necessary and what sort of messages do they receive?
I understand the messages are typed into the mobile phones and sent to the political correspondents group indicating that certain press releases or statements are on their e-mails or fax. It is no more than an efficient information service.
Does Deputy Healy-Rae use it?
I am not sure. Given that he is a man of great vision, perhaps he does.
Question No. 13 resubmitted.
