Vol. 514 No. 4
110 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the initiatives, if any, her Department is taking to ensure security and safety for businesses which are getting involved in e-commerce in view of her recent announcement of a major initiative to encourage e-commerce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4648/00]
It is widely recognised that issues about the security of the Internet can be a barrier to the further growth of e-commerce in Ireland. For this reason initiatives to improve the level of trust Irish businesses have in the Internet are an important element in the Government's overall policy of making Ireland a first choice location for e-commerce in Europe.
There are many different technological solutions to providing e-commerce security. It is important, however, to have a legal framework in place in order to ensure these solutions are recognised in law. Recently I announced that the Government was giving priority to an electronic commerce Bill which is currently being drafted. This Bill will propose a light and flexible legal framework for the use of these technologies. A consultation paper containing the outline of the legislative proposals was published on the Internet at www.ecommercegov.ie.
Among other things the Bill is intended to give electronic signatures the same legal standing as written signatures. E-signatures are an important way of authenticating transactions on the Internet and keeping them confidential.
