Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 24 Jun 1999

Vol. 507 No. 1

Written Answers. - Ministerial Speeches–Press Releases.

David Stanton

Ceist:

101 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the number of press releases and speeches issued by his Department on his behalf in the past 12 months; the reason no press releases or speeches on the work of his Department are available on his Department's website covering the period from June 1998 to June 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16230/99]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

In the one year period between 21 June 1998 and 21 June 1999, my Department issued 245 speeches and 184 press releases on my behalf. Over the past year, computer staff resources in my Department have been dedicated toward ensuring that the Department achieved year 2000 compliance within the deadline set by Government.

Having successfully completed work on securing year 2000 compliance, my Department is giving priority attention to upgrading the Depart ment's website, extending the range of information, including speeches and press releases available on site, and improving the navigational system. Tender proposals have recently been sought from a number of web design firms to modernise and revamp the site. The deadline for receipt of these proposals is tomorrow, 25 June, and it is hoped to complete the re-design work as soon as possible after that stage.