Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.

The main phase of e-Cabinet has been in operation across all Departments and ministerial offices since the middle of last year. It was introduced at Government meetings at the end of 2004. At an official launch in February 2005 the Government Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for the information society, Deputy Kitt, signalled that milestone.

The benefits of e-Cabinet are already being felt. It enables instant, secure transmission of Government memoranda at draft and final stages. This means that Cabinet procedures, such as advance consultation with concerned Departments on particular proposals, can be implemented quickly and efficiently. Manual transmission of those memoranda has virtually ceased, along with all its limitations.

Improvements continue to be made in how information is being presented in the new electronic format so that key information can be highlighted. This is a valuable support for everybody involved — officials and Ministers — and is carried right through to Government meetings.

Some further phases of the project are due to be completed in the course of this year. My Cabinet colleagues and I are impressed with what the system has delivered to date. I am also pleased that it is being delivered within budget. It is an innovative project that is now beginning to attract considerable international interest from others who wish to make the best use of technology to support similar processes.

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