Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:5 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach if he will implement the recommendations contained in the report of Ireland's Information Society Steering Committee. [12156/97]
Written Answers - Information Society Report.
In response to the recommendations of the report of Ireland's Information Society Steering Committee, I launched the Government's Millennium Initiative on the Information Society on 9 April.
I gave details of this comprehensive initiative in my answer to the House on 15 April and a copy of the press statement at the launch has been placed in the Dáil library.
The Government's initiative, which will form part of Ireland's millennium celebrations, includes the Schools IT 2000 initiative announced by the Minister for Education, proposals to stimulate further developments in the business sector, and the establishment of an Information Society Commission.
The Information Society Commission will have the function of shaping and overseeing the implementation of a strategic framework for the development of the Information Society Initiative in Ireland. The commission will be asked to recommend changes in legislation to remove any limitations on the use of information and communication technologies. The commission will also advise on measures to increase access to information and communications technologies, particularly measures aimed at those in disadvantaged groups. In addition the commission will establish sectoral advisory groups to develop detailed recommendations for action based on the ideas put forward in the Steering Committee report.
I have already announced the appointment of Ms Vivienne Jupp as Chairman of the Commission and the full membership of the commission will be announced shortly.
The Information Society Initiative can be made most cost effective if there are elements of compatibility with what is being done internationally, in Britain and elsewhere. The new British Government plans to "wire-up schools, libraries, colleges and hospitals to the information super highway". It plans a national grid for learning, franchised as a public-private partnership, which will help teachers update their skills. It also plans a new university for industry, collaborating with the Open University to bring new opportunities to adults seeking to develop their potential.
As a follow-up to the Information Society Initiative, I will be exploring possibilities for co-operation with the British Government during my visit to Britain this week. There are opportunities for savings on educational hardware and software investments, and for co-operation on particular courses and subjects. Specifically, I would like Ireland to have inputs to, and benefits from, both the proposed new national grid for learning, and the new university for industry. I look forward to discussing the possibilities for co-operation in these areas with Tony Blair.