Email

The email application used in the Oireachtas is Microsoft Outlook. Separate email accounts are provided for Members’ staff. Outbound email will always appear to the recipient in the format:

firstname.surname@oireachtas.ie

Mobile app

Members may access Oireachtas email and the MS Teams app on Apple's iOS and Android devices.

All Devices using this service are added to the Oireachtas mobile application management (MAM) system, which allows ICT to place security controls around the applications. These security controls ensure access to these applications is password protected and that the applications and their data can be wiped from the device if a Member reports their device mislaid or stolen.

Usage of Oireachtas email system

Users should be aware that email messages sent to others may:

• Be forwarded by recipients to other users of the e-mail system
• Be printed and ultimately read by anyone who sees the printed message
• Be inadvertently addressed to an individual other than the intended recipient
• Be potentially accessed by others if PCs are unattended while login is active and
• Be subject to a freedom of information request

Therefore, an email message cannot be guaranteed as private. Email messages sent to addresses outside the Government network are transmitted over public networks and the Oireachtas has no control over what happens to them when they leave its network or the route they take to reach their destination. For this reason, users should not send anything sensitive or confidential by email.

Unsolicited mail and email viruses

The ICT unit operates a tailored anti-spam solution. Inbound mail suspected of being unsolicited, or spam, is quarantined and users connected to the Oireachtas network receive an email notification of the blocked spam messages. Notifications contain a link to a spam digest and users then have the option of releasing or deleting the message.

It is strongly advised that users only release emails from quarantine when they are absolutely sure they are genuine. This may be done after verifying with the sender by phone, for example. These notifications are flagged by Microsoft to highlight potential risk. 

Inbound emails containing viruses are not delivered to the intended recipient. A virus notification will be delivered but the original mail is never released.