John Bruton
Ceist:19 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the current work programme of the Information Society Commission. [17645/98]
Written Answers. - Information Society Commission.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:20 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent progress made by the Information Society Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18431/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together.
The Information Society Commission's first report was published in February this year and I understand that copies were circulated to every Member of the House. The report sets out the main areas of the commission's work programme covering awareness, infrastructure, learning, enterprise, legal issues, Government services and social inclusion.
The commission has set up six advisory groups to help take its work forward in each of these areas. As the term suggests, the role of these groups is to advise the commission. However, a significant amount of the commission's work is also being done directly at advisory group level, under the overall guidance of the commission. I will take a few moments to outline the main issues being examined, and some of the specific initiatives which the commission has undertaken recently.
Possibly the most important work of the commission is in raising awareness of the information society and its benefits. Initiatives here include the holding in June of a conference on the importance of the information society for social inclusion. Also in June, the commission co-hosted a symposium on electronic commerce at which Ira Magaziner, special advisor to the US President, was the keynote speaker.
The commission is the primary sponsor of a new television series, TechTV, which is currently being screened by Network 2 every Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. The commission is also launching an awareness campaign for business, in conjunction with IBEC, which will run over the next few months. In addition, it is encouraging businesses to adopt its logo as a demonstration that they are embracing the information society.
On infrastructure, the commission is monitoring developments closely in the run up to full liberalisation of the telecommunications market. It is considering all of the key issues in this area, including the question of ensuring full international connectivity at competitive prices. It is one of a number of bodies whose views are helping to shape strategic policy decisions in this area.
With regard to learning, the commission is focusing on strategies to encourage the concept of lifelong learning in all walks of life within the information society. In this context, it has already highlighted the need for additional measures outside the formal education process.
In the area of enterprise, the commission is considering employment issues arising under the information society and is examining ways of monitoring and assessing the changes arising from the increasing trend towards new forms of work organisation, including flexible working time, increased teleworking and homeworking.
On legal issues, the commission is examining a wide range of subjects where legislation is likely to require amendment or where new legislation may be needed, arising from its work under the other headings. For example, in order to facilitate electronic commerce, appropriate legislation is needed under a number of headings, such as facilitating security and confidentiality of transactions, and ensuring protection of data and copyright.
Under Government services and social inclusion, the commission monitors best international practice in delivery of public services electronically and provides advice on how best to ensure that developments in this area address the needs of groups such as the elderly and persons with disabilities. As I have already mentioned, the commission arranged a conference in June on the importance of the information society for social inclusion.
The commission will shortly publish the results of national surveys which it has commissioned on attitudes towards and use of information and communication technologies among both the general population and the business community. This will enable the commission to focus its efforts in the period ahead.
I understand that the commission will present its next annual report early in 1999.