Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply. It is important that he has made a statement about the need for more use of e-technology. That websites are being mentioned in legislation is a reflection of the progress we have made in the information age in recent times, especially as not too long ago, many people did not know what they were used for.

E-technology needs to be used in the future and the principle I have outlined needs to be applied. I remember the Minister making a statement in the House approximately a year ago about the need to ensure that applications for planning permission can be lodged to local authorities on-line. I do not think there is any difficulty with that. One can tax one's car on-line without any problems at present. The good principle of communicating information free of charge, while encompassing e-technology, needs to be affirmed in legislation.