Ahern criticised over 'out of date' website

Some information on the Taoiseach's website is up to two years old, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte claimed today.

Some information on the Taoiseach's website is up to two years old, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte claimed today.

During a Dail question on the issue, Mr Rabbitte said when he clicked on the 'Latest' link on the site, it threw up a press release that was a month old.

It referred to the St Patrick's Day foreign trips of Cabinet ministers. Mr Rabbitte further noted that the 'News' section of www.taoiseach.gov.ie led with a Strategy Statement report dating back to 2003.

The latest Government press release on the site related to its legislative programme, published on January 25th, he noted.

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The most recent speech was one Mr Ahern delivered at the EU-US Summit on February 22nd.

Mr Rabbitte said he personally visited the site on April 12th before he drafted his Dail question.

He told the Dail that the Taoiseach's website should be the 'flagship' of the Government and should set an example for other departments.

"It would be helpful to the rest of the world and to his subjects that keep his website updated."

In reply, Mr Ahern said his three websites were updated regularly and information and publications were added as necessary.

He said each division was responsible that the data was accurate and up to date. Four people within the department had access to the websites to load new information.

"The websites are tested regularly for broken links and to ensure they are fully compliant with the worldwide Web Accessibility Initiative," he added.