John Bruton
Question:9 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will summarise the principal points which he conveyed in his recent address to IBEC's conference on Irish business in the information age. [15470/97]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - IBEC Business Conference.
The Deputy is referring to the IBEC conference, Irish Business in the Information Age, which was held on Friday, 26 September at which I made the opening address. As the Deputy will be aware, my speech as delivered was released to the press. I have also laid it before the House.
Given the theme of the conference and the fact that my address was followed directly by a keynote address from Mr. Nicholas Negroponte, one of the world's foremost minds on the information age, my speech touched on a number of key issues for the development of the information society in Ireland.
In summary, I spoke about Ireland's strategy for the information society, the establishment of the information society commission and the very important role it will play in mapping out for us as a nation the structures and policies we need to put in place to maximise the potential of the new technologies for Ireland. The commission is reporting directly to me.
Given the focus of the conference, I also spoke about some of the issues that have been identified as central to the development of the enterprise sector in the information society. In addition, I referred to the importance of the provision of an appropriate telecommunications infrastructure and drew the attention of the audience to the necessity of working together at a national and international level to ensure the development of an inclusive information society.
The Taoiseach mentioned the inevitability of greater levels of competition in information technology, particularly in telecommunications. In this context, has agreement been reached on the sale of the 14.9 per cent shareholding to the employees of Telecom Éireann, which was promised to them by the Government parties before the election?
That is not in the question.
It relates to the telecommunications infrastructure and the ownership thereof, which is central to the conveyance of information.
Another broken promise.
I know the answer but I think there is a slight difference between the information society of Ireland, the commission, what I discussed with Mr. Negroponte and the sale of shares in Telecom Éireann.
The Taoiseach would prefer to stay in the distant future rather than the present tense.
If the Deputy wishes I could answer questions for the Minister for Public Enterprise.
On a point of order, was Question No. 8 answered?
No, it was postponed until tomorrow. We are now on Question No. 9.
Deputy De Rossa asked that it be held over until tomorrow.
The Taoiseach will be back over here again before he is used to it.
We are trying hard anyway.