THE Government now has its own web site on the Internet. The new web site: provides access to information on Departments and agencies, and has links to Government agencies which already have a presence on the Internet.

Launching the new home pages, the Minister for Finance, Mr Quinn, said it was a logical step in exploiting technology to provide a better service from Government. The web site "will play a key role in enhancing Ireland's image as a modern, open economy with quality products and services to offer," he added. Mr Quinn said that, in time, every Department would have a presence on the site.

The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Employment with responsibility for science and technology, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said the creation of a Government site should demonstrate the merits of using the Internet to any sections of the business community which have not fully realised the impact of the information society.

The web site was established by the Civil Service Centre for Organisation and Management Development, in association with Ireland On Line, and HEAnet. The address for the new Government site is http://www.irlgov.ie.

Mr Quinn can be contacted at Minister Finance.irlgov.ie