Departmental Communications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Questions (1123)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1123. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department uses anti-profanity software on its email systems and online contact forms; if so, the level of human oversight that is applied to the monitoring of this software and its effectiveness; his views on whether persons' legitimate right to petition Government may be blocked unintentionally by errors in the use of such software in determining that which qualifies as profanity being communicated in email or online contact forms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2088/18]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department uses automatic content filters on its email system to check incoming and outgoing mail. It does not use any software in online contact forms. If an email is deemed to be inappropriate, it is quarantined and both the sender and intended recipient are notified. This notification message provides the reason for quarantining and provides details on how the message may be delivered if it was stopped incorrectly or is business related. Releasing of appropriate messages is managed by Help Desk staff. I am satisfied that these measures provide a balance between allowing legitimate contact while protecting against inappropriate messages.