Vol. 541 No. 2
210 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the extent to which his Department is prepared for the introduction of the euro; if he will ensure that the replies to future parliamentary questions show all monetary values in euros and pounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21892/01]
My Department's euro changeover plan, which was drawn up last year, sets out comprehensive arrangements and actions to ensure a successful changeover to the euro. The imple mentation of that plan is monitored by the Department's euro changeover group, chaired by an assistant secretary, while a euro working group representative of all areas of the Department has responsibility for dealing with day to day issues associated with the changeover. In addition, my Department has appointed a euro changeover officer who co-ordinates action internally and liaises with both the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland and the Department's agencies.
The euro changeover plan addresses a number of requirements with a view to effecting a successful changeover to the euro, including staff training and awareness, euro compliance of financial management systems, payroll systems, euro compliance of IT systems, client awareness, adaptation of standard forms and leaflets for the public and changeover arrangements within organisations under the aegis of the Department. Progress in all of these matters is on target at present. As regards money values in replies to parliamentary questions, I have asked my Department to arrange that, except where the context clearly requires otherwise, between now and 1 January 2002 and for a reasonable time thereafter money values will be shown in both euro and Irish pounds.
