Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 105: To ask the Taoiseach the languages in which his Department's telephone messages are recorded; and if his Department's messages include a version in the Irish language. [11896/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's switch operates from Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. There is no main automated telephone message for the Department, as calls are taken by switchboard staff who provide a high standard of service in Irish and English. Indeed, in the Department's Official Languages Scheme, we state that we will request Eircom, who provide the switchboard staff, to ensure that such staff continue to have a good level of fluency in Irish. Outside normal hours, calls are dealt with by security staff rather than by an automated message.

There is a facility for staff to create customised voicemail messages in any language on their Direct Dial number and this facility is used by some members of staff.

The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs have prepared draft regulations dealing with, amongst other things, recorded oral announcements. We are currently working to ensure that we are ready to meet all the requirements of these regulations, when they come into force.