Vol. 554 No. 5
149 Mr. Stanton asked the Taoiseach the membership of the Information Society Commission; the projects being undertaken by the commission; the most recent date the website of the Information Society Commission was updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17099/02]
The membership of the Information Society Commission, ISC, draws on high level representation from the business community, the social partners and Government. It is chaired by Dr. Danny O'Hare, former president of DCU. A list of members follows this reply.
The diversity of the information society agenda is reflected in the range of issues that the Information Society Commission is addressing. In order to investigate these issues in depth, the commission has set up seven working groups to address the following key areas: telecommunications infrastructure, eGovernment, eBusiness, legal and regulatory environment, eInclusion, lifelong learning and future issues. These groups are in the process of identifying priority issues with a view to issuing reports and recommendations. In addition, the ISC has commissioned a survey of attitudes towards the information society among the general public and the business community. It is also in the process of appointing consultants to support the development of recommendations to Government on the formulation of a national e-payments strategy.
Finally, in keeping with its remit as set out in New Connections, the Government action plan to realise the potential of the information society, the commission is conducting further research to determine the nature and extent of the digital divide in Ireland.
The ISC website is being redeveloped at present and the new version is due to go live within the next few days. The membership of the Information Society Commission is as follows:
|
Dr. Danny O'Hare (Chairman) |
Former President of DCU (Dublin City University) |
|
Claire Cunningham |
Aura Internet Services Ltd |
|
Dr. Christopher Coughlan |
Hewlett Packard |
|
Michael Byrne |
Ennis Information Age Town |
|
Jerry Shanahan |
MSF (Manufacturing Science Finance) |
|
Karen Hynes |
Chambers of Commerce of Ireland |
|
Colm Reilly |
Irish Internet Association |
|
Innes Bailey |
National Adult Literacy Association |
|
Dr. Eamonn Conway |
Mary Immaculate College, UL (University of Limerick) |
|
Robert Johnston |
JLS Software Solutions |
|
Clodagh O'Donnell |
IBM |
|
Dee Cari |
Torque Management Consulting |
|
Marion O'Neill |
Kilkenny Information Age Town |
|
Pat O'Hara |
Western Development Commission |
|
Christopher Took |
Web Developer |
|
Charles Stanley-Smith |
Piercom |
|
Brian Lennon |
St. Oliver's College, Drogheda |
|
Donal Toolan |
Forum of People with Disabilities |
|
Kathryn Raleigh |
IBEC |
|
Joe Horan |
County Manager, South Dublin County Council |
|
Peter Ryan |
Department of the Taoiseach |
