Implementing the Information Society in Ireland: A Framework for Action

Executive Summary

1. The Information Society represents a phenomenal challenge and opportunity for Ireland. If we are to maintain and build on our economic success of recent years, and ensure that all of society can participate in the Information Society, it is vital that we become both an early mover and a global player in the Information Society.

2. The pace of development in this new area is unprecedented and cannot be overstated. Many of the critical policy decisions will be made, and much of the shape of the future global Information Society will be determined, over the next one or two years.

3. The role of Government in facilitating the Information Society in Ireland, and providing the necessary political leadership, will be absolutely critical in successfully defining Ireland's position in that global Information Society. Key decisions and resource allocations are needed now to ensure that the potential benefits are maximised.

4. This is the first report of the Inter-Departmental Implementation Group on the Information Society. It contains two parts: a proposed Action Plan, and a Commentary on that plan. The Group recommends that the Government should adopt the proposed Action Plan and assign the various tasks which it contains. The recent report of the Advisory Committee on Telecommunications and the National Competitiveness Council's "Statement on Telecommunications: a Key Factor in Electronic Commerce and Competitiveness" broadly fit in with the overall approach of the Group.

5. The proposed Action Plan covers a number of broad areas: telecommunications infrastructure,development of electronic commerce and business opportunities, enabling measures, legislative measures, ICTs and delivery of public services, support areas where action is needed, and taking the work forward. The objective of the Action Plan is to present a comprehensive strategic plan embracing all tasks which need to be addressed.Consequently, it includes a combination of completely new tasks and tasks which have already been identified as necessary and where, in some instances, action has already commenced.

6. In the area of telecommunications infrastructure, the Group urges rapid action in developing proposals to attract global operators into Ireland and to secure adequate investment to develop international connectivity. It also makes recommendations in the areas of submarine cable licensing, the powers of the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation (ODTR) and funding nation-wide broadband roll-out.

7. There is a need for measures in the context of development of electronic commerce and business opportunities. In this section, the group notes the work on establishment of a Digital Park and recommends that this be taken forward rapidly. It also recommends the preparation of a comprehensive action programme by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the industrial development agencies to assist companies in this area.

8. The Group feels that a range of issues needs to be addressed in order to improve access to the Information Society, and to contribute to the development of secure and reliable applications. These are considered under the heading enabling measures, and include addressing social exclusion in so far as it inhibits access to the Information Society, seeking to reduce participation costs, creating certification authorities and issuing digital certificates, developing electronic interfaces for public services, and providing electronic payment mechanisms. 

9. The sections on legislative measures cover the areas where legislation is needed to give effect to some of the proposed measures concerning telecommunications infrastructure, and to help create the necessary legal framework for secure and reliable electronic messaging and electronic commerce. The topics covered include digital signatures and encryption, electronic evidence in Courts, data protection, copyright, the Telecom IPO, telecommunications infrastructure issues, telecommunications regulation, Digital TV, taxation and consumer protection.

10. A range of measures under three parallel strands is proposed under Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and delivery of public services. The Group's recommendations under the first strand cover increased use of websites and related technology for information dissemination. Under strand two, the Group proposes a range of flagship pilot projects which would incorporate features such as an electronic access interface, electronic filing of returns, electronic payments etc. Strand three requires an in-depth examination of the issues arising in order to re-engineer public services in a citizen-centric manner.

11. Under support areas where action is needed, the Group examines measures to raise awareness of the Information Society, education issues including extending learning beyond the formal education process, means to assist the elderly and disabled people and the need for greater market monitoring, benchmarking performance and research and development.

12. The sections on taking the work forward are concerned with structures within the civil service and resource allocation. Clarification of the role of the Implementation Group is recommended, as is establishment of a policy development team in the Department of the Taoiseach, creation of a special fund to assist with key initiatives and allocation of additional resources within Departments. Greater involvement in international debate and improved links with the business sector and the Information Society Commission are also proposed.

13. The proposed Action Plan presents precise tasks with time frames, resource requirements and responsibility allocations, where appropriate.

•  InformationSocietyFramework.pdf (773 KB)
•  InformationSocietyFramework.rtf (291 KB)