Vol. 496 No. 6
251 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements, if any, he has put in place in his Department to offset any adverse effects of the millennium bug; the effects the millennium bug will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23523/98]
The question of ensuring year 2000 compliance is being actively pursued by my Department, in line with a formal plan drawn up last year. The plan quantified the effort involved in achieving year 2000 compliance in all affected areas of the Department and work is ongoing on its implementation.
The year 2000 problem can affect computer applications and computer software generally, where calculations are made involving dates which use only two digits to represent the year. Similarly, computer hardware and office equipment with embedded date processing features can be affected. As part of my Department's plan therefore, remedial action is being taken on all such projects to ensure that they will continue to function properly in the lead up to and after 1 January 2000. This work is being monitored closely by a year 2000 committee, which reports to me.
Along with all Government Departments, my Department also makes regular progress reports on this issue to the interdepartmental year 2000 monitoring committee, which was established last year to oversee achievement of year 2000 compliance for IT systems and other office equipment in the Civil Service. This committee, which is chaired by my Department, reports to Government every two months.
