Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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340. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he and any Minister of State under his Department uses a personal e-mail account for work purposes; the security controls that are in place in relation to the use of personal e-mail accounts for Department related business; if his Department has a policy on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5261/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I have an official Oireachtas email account and, since my appointment as Minister, an official Departmental email account. I have not, and do not, use private email accounts for official business. In relation to Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan I understand that the Minister of State also has an Oireachtas email address as well as a departmental email address. I understand that the Minister of State uses these email accounts for the vast bulk of his official communications. However, from time to time I understand that when unable to access either, he will use his gmail account to contact his Private Office. These communications have not included any personal or confidential data  and the records are then maintained on the Department's network. My Department has a policy that recognises the security risks inherent in personal email accounts and has specifically included instructions about usage of these accounts. The Minister of State's use does not contravene this policy.