The second progress report on "New Connections," the government's plan to develop Ireland's Information Society, said that e-government, broadband, e-inclusion, R&D and e-business initiatives are progressing well. "Importantly, the 'e' agenda is now being mainstreamed across all areas of economic and social activity and the focus of attention is shifting towards the use of technology rather than simple awareness and access," said Minister for the Information Society, Mary Hanafin T.D in the foreword to the document.
She noted that the recent awarding of the Public Services Broker (PSB) contract to BearingPoint is a positive step, as is the launch of projects such as the motor tax on-line service, the General Register Office life event data service, and new on-line land registry service. The report itself gave updates of dozens of specific e-government projects, ranging from the e-cabinet and e-estimates initiatives to on-line Gaeltacht Grants and import/export declarations, all of which have already launched or will launch soon.
The government April 2002 "New Connections" report said that the state aims to have all major government services that are capable being offered on-line available electronically by 2005. Although Friday's report indicated that many initiatives are on track or at least progressing it did not specifically say if the 2005 target will be reached.
On the telecoms side, the report also did not specify whether the government expects to hit its previously stated target of affordable, always-on broadband Internet for businesses and consumers throughout Ireland by 2005.
The report did however note that several projects are underway to help boost broadband in Ireland, including the construction of 19 regional metropolitan area networks (MANs), community based broadband schemes, the awarding of fixed-wireless broadband services, and several pilot initiatives to test broadband technologies like power line communications (PLC).
In the next eight to 13 years, the government aims to ensure that home and businesses in the country will have a 5Mbps connection to the Internet, another aim that the latest report notes, but offers no detail of whether the target will be met.
"This progress report is timely, coming at the conclusion of eWeek, and merging into tomorrow's historic 'Day of Welcomes' to mark the enlargement of the European Union," Minister Hanafin commented.
"The deepening of European integration will enable new social and economic connections between 470 million citizens across the enlarged EU," Minister Hanafin said. "Ireland is on the geographical periphery of the European Union, but, through a coordinated implementation of policy and enterprise in the wider ICT area, in particular, we have proved beyond doubt that we are capable of being at the very heart of developments and progress."
Quelle: Electric News Net, 30.04.2004
