Vol. 575 No. 1
241 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason press statements from her Department issue to the media, yet do not issue to the Opposition spokesperson until several hours later; and if this practice can be rectified immediately. [28006/03]
All press statements issued by the Department are posted to the Department's website on the same day as they are issued to the media.
The Department's website has recently been upgraded to enable the Department to deliver its information and other services more effectively. The press office area of the website has a mailing list which enables a subscriber to receive the press releases of the Department by e-mail, as soon as they are posted to the website. The website can be accessed at www.welfare.ie I am satisfied that this gives all interested parties, including Opposition spokespersons and other Deputies, adequate access to information of this kind.
