The study showed however that some sectors of Irish industry are ahead of EU averages for ICT use.
It also revealed that EU spending on ICT research is less than half of US levels.
By 2020, the European Commission wants all households to have access to high-speed broadband, as part of its "Digital Agenda". By 2015, all patients could have access to their online medical records wherever they are in the EU.
Anthony Whelan, Head of Cabinet for Neelie Kroes. European Commissioner for Digital Agenda said: “Ireland is punching above its weight in European digital research.
"It is addressing the broadband infrastructure challenge for industry, schools and rural communites and Ireland's businesses are above-average in online commerce and the use of e-Government services.
“However, take-up by citizens and consumers of opportunities to use public services and do business online is still lagging behind. We need to remember that the internet is also a major social opportunity for the elderly, disadvantaged and disabled,” he added.
Reacting to the findings Eamon Ryan, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, said: “While Ireland's economy shrank in 2009, Ireland's ICT sector grew by 6%. Ireland is committed to working with the European Commission to use both incentives and competition to attract and develop the digital economy in Ireland.”
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Cathal McGuigan
Quelle/Source: Inside Ireland, 27.09.2010
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