My Department has recently completed its year 2000 contingency plan. This plan has been approved by independent audit and by the year 2000 interdepartmental monitoring committee. The plan details the procedures which have been put in place to ensure that my Department's critical business functions will not be affected by Y2K related failure.
Local authorities and other bodies under the aegis of my Department are reporting monthly on progress with Y2K remedial programmes and contingency planning. Latest reports indicate that remedial programmes are now almost completed and contingency planning is under way with many bodies reporting contingency plans now in place. My Department will continue to monitor progress with contingency planning to ensure that all practical measures are taken to ensure that there is no disruption of critical services due to Y2K problems.