John Bruton
Ceist:66 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of people who will have access to the secure intranet which is being developed for the Government secretariat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17403/99]
Written Answers. - Intranet Facilities.
The intranet for the Government secretariat will enable Ministers' offices to establish an electronic link with the secretariat. The first issue, which is being addressed at present, is to identify the appropriate electronic security to safeguard documents being transmitted electronically. These security features will in turn determine the computer and communications infrastructure on which the intranet will be based.
Designing and implementing the intranet will also involve a re-appraisal of the existing manual methods for dealing with what is an almost exclusively paper based system, so that the potential of the available communications and computing technology can be exploited to allow for the electronic submission of documents, for streamlining the consultation processes which are part of Government procedures, and for the transmission of Government memoranda, agendas and decisions. Consultations will be held with Departments in due course on the development of new processes and procedures which will be required.
The intranet is intended primarily to provide facilities for Ministers' offices to link and conduct business electronically with the Government secretariat.