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Do we have a new e-minister?

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  • 16-10-2004 12:53pm
    #1
    vinnyfitz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 805 ✭✭✭


    The Labour Party raised this earth shattering issue yesterday.
    Does Ireland still have an e-minister?
    Statement by Tommy Broughan TD
    Spokesperson on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Assistant Whip

    Labour Party Spokesperson on Communications, Deputy Tommy Broughan, has called on the Taoiseach to clarify whether or not Ireland still has a dedicated Minister for e-government following the recent Cabinet reshuffle which saw Chief Whip Mary Hanafin move to the Department of Education and Science.

    "Recent press reports that there is now no dedicated e-minister have caused extreme alarm in the ICT industry.

    “Due to pressure brought on the Taoiseach in the lead-up to the 2002 General Election by IT and software professional leaders, such as Dr Chris Horn, the co-founder Iona Technologies, the former Chief Whip Mary Hanafin was appointed e-minister to co-ordinate all ICT developments across national and local government.

    “It is generally accepted in the industry that Minister Hanafin did not give sufficient attention to her e-minister role, but at least she provided a focal point for ministers and civil servants who wished to advance e-governance.

    “In particular, there is continuing criticism of Minister Hanafin among IT professionals about her decision not to opt for open source technology for Government IT systems. She also gave the impression of favouring Microsoft in this important decision.

    “The Taoiseach must now clarify if the position of e-Minister still exists, or if, due to Minister Hanafin’s failures and near invisibility in the role, he has decided to scrap the post.”


    Well, Tommy, I 'm told that the new Chief Whip, Tom Kitt, opened a conference for the Information Society Commission yesterday. He seems to have declared himself to be the new E-minister since the Bert forgot to put it in the official announcement. :rolleyes:


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    damien
    Registered Users Posts: 4,290 ✭✭✭damien


    Tommy must have read Karlin Lillington' piece in the Times yesterday where she asked exactly that. We already mentioned on this forum that Tom Kitt was the guy in charge, as well as being the whip holder and Minister of State for Defense.

    Anyone got a copy of Karlin's piece that they could post ?


  • Options
    #3
    bealtine
    Registered Users Posts: 4,051 ✭✭✭bealtine


    > Does Ireland still have an e-minister?

    More to the point, have we ever had an e-minister?


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