Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether concerns expressed regarding the usability of his Department's website have been fully addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22300/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I have already indicated that I believe my Department's website, www.environ.ie, is in need of some improvement in terms of content architecture and presentation. Design and development of a major reworking of the site is under way and an entirely new layout is planned. The Department is aiming to have the new site in place before the end of the year. In the meantime, interim revisions mentioned in an earlier reply to a parliamentary question have been implemented. These substantially address concerns about the site's usability and improve the performance, accessibility, look and feel of the site.

In addition to www.environ.ie, my Department operates some 13 special interest websites dealing with particular aspects of the Department's activities. In recent years extensive changes have been made to reflect the changed structure of the Department and to provide direct access from the main Department site to newly developed sites such as "Motor Tax Online" and "Buildings of Ireland", as well as the specialist websites relating to Met Éireann and heritage areas.

The award winning www.motortax.ie, which enables customers to pay their motor tax over the Internet, is recognised as an effective e-government measure. In its first year, this site has handled over 470,000 transactions representing over €100 million in revenue. Almost 24% of eligible motor tax business nationally is now transacted on-line, including over 43% of eligible business in the Dublin area. This is a welcome success and one that we intend to build on in the years to come.

The website of the national inventory of architectural heritage is www.buildingsofireland.ie. The NIAH involves identifying, surveying and recording the architectural heritage of Ireland and this site presents information and images of the surveyed buildings and structures in an attractive and readily accessible way.

The website www.raceagainstwaste.ie is an integral part of the award winning public awareness campaign. It provides practical advice and action points on better waste management for citizens and businesses as well as acting as a portal to a wide range of on-line resources dealing with responsible waste management.

The Met Éireann website effectively blends daily weather forecasts with educational information on climate, satellite imagery and targeted information for the agricultural and marine sectors.

The Department, through these and other sites, has developed a web presence which provides a comprehensive suite of on-line services and information.