Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:8 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he has satisfied himself that agencies (details supplied) under the aegis of his Department are year 2000 compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8207/99]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Computer Programmes.
John Bruton
Ceist:9 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the steps, if any, his Department has taken to ensure that agencies under its aegis are year 2000 compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8767/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
I am satisfied that the agencies indicated by Deputy Quinn are making good progress towards achieving year 2000 compliance. For some offices, full compliance has already been achieved and others will have achieved it by mid-1999.
The agencies under the aegis of my Department which are fully year 2000 compliant are as follows: NESC; the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution; the National Centre for Partnership; the Information Society Commission, and the Tribunal Offices, Dublin Castle.
The following agencies are substantially compliant with a small amount of work still to be completed: the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; the Office of the Attorney General; the Chief State Solicitor's Office; the Law Reform Commission, and the Central Statistics Office.
With regard to the NESF, non-compliant systems are being replaced as part of a move to new premises that is under way.
I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. In light of the problems associated with year 2000 compliance and the fact that the Minister of State with responsibility for ensuring that Government agencies and Departments are compliant is now an active candidate seeking election to the European Parliament and is effectively off the political stage, will the Taoiseach reassign this function to another Minister of State to ensure the level of hands-on involvement which the task requires?
At this stage the Minister of State is still fully involved. If that position changes when the campaign steps up after Easter, I will take it into account.
That is four days away.
The Minister for Finance is co-ordinating the main groups.
The Taoiseach should try telling that to the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy.
Most of the Minister's work involved the guidelines which have been set down. The various interdepartmental action groups are all up and running and most of their work is complete. This is a tribute to the Minister of State and all those involved.
Most of the sections in Departments and Government agencies are dealing with the Minister for Finance. His campaign was national.
The Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, did not know that.
The Minister of State is anxious to continue the work he has been doing for the past two years. He is still doing a good job.
Will the Taoiseach indicate the portion of the £40 million included in the budget this year to deal with this problem which was given to the Departments and agencies that are the subject of the question? On what was the money spent?
The Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, would be surprised to learn that he is not the main person dealing with this area because he has behaved in that manner every time I raised this issue during questions to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Will the Taoiseach indicate the findings of the most recent survey on the preparedness of companies and public bodies to deal with the year 2000 problem?
Is the Taoiseach aware that insurance companies are including a clause in policies which states that they will not pay any damages arising from problems related to the year 2000? Members received a letter in relation to our public liability insurance which stated that we will not be covered. The letter states that the underwriters have asked that it be brought to our attention that they have applied a year 2000 clause to our policy. All date related risks are excluded from cover, including damage to machinery.
The Deputy is out of order in citing material at Question Time.
Is the Taoiseach aware that the insurance policy relating to his Department and these agencies may not cover any damage arising from the year 2000 problem?
I do not have the figure for my Department from the total cost. I gave that information recently in a reply to a parliamentary question tabled by Deputy Quinn. None of the Deputy's other questions apply to me.
The Taoiseach will not answer them.
Does the Taoiseach accept that not only companies but households will be affected by the year 2000 problem? Does the Taoiseach agree it would make sense to issue a booklet or leaflet to each household informing them of the steps they could take to avoid difficulties?
The Minister of State, Deputy Treacy, has already done that. The interdepart mental committee dealing with Departments is under the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy. All the other activities come under the aegis of the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy. Booklets relating to small and medium size industries and household products have been put in the public domain.
Is the Taoiseach aware of legislation passed in other jurisdictions in relation to the year 2000? Why has no legislation on this matter been introduced in Ireland? Is the Taoiseach aware that a range of legal risks could come into play in relation to the making of statements, especially by project managers? They could be made in good faith for the purpose of sharing information, but they could provide the basis for a course of action. Is the Taoiseach aware of legislation in the United States to ensure that year 2000 problems do not disrupt commerce or lead to unnecessarily large case loads in the courts? Why is the Government so tardy in this area?
I am not aware of any case that has been put to the Government regarding the need for legislation on these matters. I am aware that a case was put in relation to litigation. This was raised in the House some time ago and on 16 February the Government decided to change some of its policy initiatives in this area to ensure alternative suppliers were available. Otherwise, difficulties could arise with regard to litigation. These changes have been made and units have been established in each Department to ensure that alternative suppliers are available where year 2000 issues are outstanding. This work is ongoing and its purpose is to ensure that the Government does not encounter litigation. I am not sure why other countries may have introduced legislation in this area. It has not been an issue in the dealings of any of the groups.
Deputy Stanton rose.
I allowed the Deputy latitude on the question.
It is important.
The Deputy's supplementary question was out of order and I allowed him latitude. However, I cannot allow him continue.