153 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of contingency plans in relation to the Y2K computer problems in the event of a systems failure in his Department and all agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25438/99]

My Department, in common with other Departments, has drawn up a year 2000 business contingency and staff cover plan, which includes all offices of the Department and its agencies. The purpose of this plan is to enable continued provision of key services and business processes in the event of systems failures.

The plan, which incorporates the recommendations made by the Department's internal audit unit, has been approved by senior management and submitted to the interdepartmental year 2000 monitoring committee.