Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

76. To ask the Taoiseach if his Department has a policy regarding the use of an e-mail provider (details supplied) in view of his comments over the weekend of 26 and 27 November 2016 regarding same. [38366/16]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

77. To ask the Taoiseach if he or his Department will continue to use an e-mail provider (details supplied) for non-urgent Government business. [38367/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together.

My Department has detailed ICT policies relating to the use of email and the internet which are provided to all staff. These policies also deal with software downloads, media device usage, remote access and the security responsibility of users.

Office holders and staff in my Department use secure corporate email accounts for conducting official day-to-day business. While the existing policies do not explicitly ban the use of non-Department of the Taoiseach email services, the policies do stipulate that individuals using the Department's electronic media should handle their communications with the same care as with any other type of business communications.

The existing policies are currently being reviewed and consolidated and text dealing explicitly with the use of non-Department of the Taoiseach email accounts will be included in the consolidated policy.