John Bruton
Ceist:5 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]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Access to Intranet.
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 reappraisal of the existing manual methods for dealing with what is an almost exclusively paper-based system. The aim is to exploit the potential of the available communications and computing technology 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.
Who will access the intranet within the Government? Will it be Ministers' offices, political advisers to Ministers or the active press staff in the Department of the Taoiseach?
This has all been examined as part of trying to make and use modern technology. Many Departments are already looking at how the information age can assist them and my Department is monitoring developments in all areas. We hope to get a model of best practice. We have not got one yet, but that work is under way. I hope it is not just a matter for the Government but for the wider public sector and the private sector so that we all make the best effort to do this. We have no model and the detail the Deputy is looking for has not been agreed. Although it will take some years, the security of data will be looked at. By and large, we are mainly concerned with those who receive Government memoranda and the huge amount of paper used. We will extend the examination to the reduction of the mountains of paper used in the process of Government and the possible transfer of such documents electronically.
What is the Taoiseach's policy on access to Government memoranda? Will it be confined to those who have an official function as regards the memoranda in question or will others, including the press staff in the Government service, particularly those in the Taoiseach's office, who are very active, also have access to this information?
I will not get into arguments about which Government Department is most active as regards Government memoranda. Those who should officially have the information will be the only ones who will receive it.
Those in the Taoiseach's office who brief the press will not have routine access to Government memoranda – is that right?
Of course it is. The attempt to convert to a paperless society is a serious issue and one should not treat it frivolously. Many people are working to develop websites, technology etc. and the Deputy looks on it as a joke.
I do not.
It is unfortunate that the Leader of the Opposition takes that view.
Dirty tricks are not a joke.
I use the circular facility myself.
I know the Deputy does but he also knows what we are trying to achieve.
I know what the Taoiseach is trying to do.
It will take almost a decade to totally achieve this, as the Deputy knows.
It is more to do with disinformation than information.
Unfortunately, the Deputy is wrong again.