Table of Contents
Executive Summary i
1. Introduction
1.1 The Information Society 3
1.2 The Forces of Change 4
1.2.1 The Economic Dimension 5
1.2.2 The Global Dimension 5
1.2.3 The Technological Dimension 6
1.2.4 The Human Dimension 7
1.3 The Implications for Ireland 8
1.3.1 Economic 8
1.3.2 Social 9
1.3.3 Government 11
1.4 The Promise of the Future 12
2. Envisioning the Future
2.1 A Vision for Ireland as an Information Society 15
2.2 Life in the Information Society 15
2.2.1 People and the Information Society 16
2.2.2 Business and the Information Society 19
2.2.3 Government and the Information Society 22
2.3 Consequences of Inaction 24
2.4 The Goals to be Achieved 25
3. Preparing for the Information Society
3.1 Ireland’s Preparedness for the Information Society 29
3.2 Awareness 30
3.2.1 General Public Survey 30
3.2.2 Business Survey 31
3.2.3 Conclusions 32
3.3 Infrastructure 33
3.3.1 The Importance of Telecommunications 33
3.3.2 Ireland’s Comparative Position in the OECD Area 34
3.3.3 Competitive Liberalised Market 37
3.4 Learning 38
3.4.1 Information and Communications Technologies
in Irish Education 38
3.4.2 Skills 39
3.5 Enterprise 40
3.5.1 Opportunity Growth Sectors 40
3.5.2 The Content Sector 42
3.6 Government 42
3.6.1 Citizen-Centred Services 43
3.6.2 Supporting Change 43
3.6.3 Inclusive Society 44
3.7 Strengths and Weaknesses 44
3.7.1 Strengths 44
3.7.2 Weaknesses 45
3.8 International Ranking 46
4. A Strategy for Ireland’s Information Society
4.1 The Key Pillars for Developing an Information Society 49
4.2 Awareness 50
4.3 Infrastructure 52
4.4 Learning 55
4.5 Enterprise 58
4.6 Government 61
5. From Strategies to Action
5.1 Next Steps 67
5.1.1 Information Society Commission 68
5.1.2 Awareness Campaigns 69
5.1.3 Fiscal Incentives 69
5.1.4. Regulation of Ireland’s Telecommunications Market 70
5.1.5 Broadband for Enterprise and Residential Customers 71
5.1.6 Skills and a National Learning Initiative 73
5.1.7 Digital Park 75
5.1.8 Legal Framework for the Information Society 76
5.1.9 Review of Information Society Industries
and Programmes of Action 78
5.2 Flagship Projects 79
5.3 The Road Ahead 80
Appendices
Appendix 1. Membership of the Information Society Steering Committee 83
Appendix 2. Submissions to the Information Society Steering Committee 84
Appendix 3. Information and Communications Technology Projects
Ireland and International 86
Appendix 4. Glossary 89
List of Exhibits and Tables
Chapter 1
Exhibit 1.1 Overview of Telecommunications Trends 6
Chapter 3
Table 3.1 Ireland’s Current Rating on Key OECD
Telecommunications Indicators 34
Table 3.2 Achieving Top Quartile Telecommunications Performance:
Comparison of Ireland with OECD metrics now and in 2001 35
Table 3.3 1996 IDC-World Times Information Imperative Index 46
Chapter 5
Table 5.1 Estimated Expenditure on Broadband Deployment
Programmes to Enterprise and Residential Customers 73
Table 5.2 ICT-Based Growth Sector Opportunities 78
1. The Information Society
Information and communications technologies (ICTs) will transform Ireland’s economy
and society over the next few years. This report sets out a strategy to prepare Ireland for
this future, called the Information Society - a society in which advanced technologies are
used to improve the living and working conditions of all our citizens.
Other countries have already begun implementing their strategies. Such is the speed of
change, it is imperative that Ireland’s strategy is implemented quickly in order to reap the
full benefits of the transformation that lies just ahead.
2. The Vision for Ireland
A thorough and timely implementation of the strategy will secure the vision set out in this
report for Ireland as a fully developed Information Society:
Ireland is a unique community, rich in culture, learning and
creativity where the Information Society is embraced:
to support the talents of our people;
to create employment, wealth and vibrant,
inclusive communities;
and where citizens participate more actively in government.
This Vision is one which stresses the benefits of the Information Society. It is also one
which focuses on the people and communities whose participation is essential to Ireland’s
progress towards the Information Society.
3. The Promise of the Future
If we grasp the opportunities presented, the Information Society promises to deliver a
range of benefits to Ireland, including higher living standards. For Irish enterprises there
will be opportunities to participate in new growth markets based on the technologies
driving global economic change.
Other opportunities will include changes to the ways in which existing products and
services are produced and delivered. Such changes will result in greater productivity gains
and in competitive success for Irish enterprises in the global marketplace.
For Ireland’s workforce, the opportunities of the Information Society will include more
fulfilling jobs using advanced technologies and a net increase in employment. The full
availability of advanced communications services could lead to the creation of 48,000 jobs
over the period to 2005.
1
For those workers seeking more flexible working arrangements, the Information Society
will provide more opportunities to telework from home using communications
technologies. The same technologies will enable workers to upgrade their skills as part
of a process of lifelong learning designed to improve their employment prospects
and earnings.
For Irish citizens and communities, the Information Society promises to provide better
public services, as more citizen-centred services offering choice and convenience are
developed by government.
Those living in peripheral regions and dispersed communities will also benefit from access
to economic and social opportunities provided by emerging technologies. Many groups
considered disadvantaged today will also have the opportunity to participate more fully in
a future Information Society.
4. Preparedness and Goals
In preparing a strategy for Ireland’s progress towards the Information Society, it is
necessary to be clear about both the starting point (how prepared we are for the future)
and about the destination (the goals we wish to achieve).
4.1 Preparedness
A number of key dimensions must be included in any assessment of Ireland’s preparedness
for the changes that lie ahead:
Awareness - Based on a survey undertaken for the Steering Committee in mid-1996,
fewer than a third of the general public in Ireland - and a similar proportion of senior
managers - has actually heard of the Information Society. However, both the general
public and senior managers are generally positive towards the potential for change of
information and communications technologies.
Infrastructure - Ireland is lagging behind other European countries in creating a
liberalised competitive telecommunications market. In the areas of international tariffs,
and in respect of the backbone transmission network, Ireland is in the upper quartile
when compared with other OECD countries. However, on a number of other key
telecommunications infrastructure and service parameters, Ireland is ranked in the lower
half of OECD countries. The local access network for commercial and residential users
remains under-developed, as it does in many other countries.
Learning - Teacher training and in-service curricula pay insufficient attention to
information and communications technologies. Technology deployment in schools
requires to be more fully integrated into curricula and overall educational objectives.
In the enterprise sector, there is little investment in lifelong learning.
Enterprise - Sectors of critical importance to the Irish economy - such as agriculture and
tourism - remain relatively unexploited in terms of ICT-based applications. Information
technology-driven enterprises already provide many of the new jobs and wealth creation
activities coming on stream in Ireland. There is considerable scope to build on this but it
will require additional investment in information technology-related infrastructure,
education and training. The production of multimedia content is also underdeveloped,
although it promises major opportunities for early entrants.
Government - Progress has been made in government departments in using information
and communications technologies. However, there has been comparatively little
development of citizen-centred public services based on such technologies. A number of
key regulatory developments remain to be put in place including an independent
regulator of the telecommunications sector and the transposing of key EU directives on
copyright and related issues.
4.2 Goals for the Information Society
In light of the assessment of Ireland’s preparedness, the following goals are essential:
1. To ensure popular support for, and participation in, a future Information Society
in order to secure the full benefits for all citizens and enterprises in every part of
the country.
2. To have an advanced telecommunications infrastructure capable of supporting
enterprise and citizen (community) demands in the Information Society.
3. To ensure that educational and training practices incorporate the appropriate use of
information and communications technologies in order to enable people to benefit
fully from the Information Society both educationally and vocationally.
4. To ensure that Irish enterprises adopt and use information and communications
technologies and that they participate successfully in key growth markets in the
Information Society.
5. To deploy information and communications technologies in government for the
provision of citizen-centred services and to develop and implement policies that
support the transition to the Information Society.
5. Ireland’s Information Society Strategy
Ireland’s strategy is built upon the five key pillars of awareness, infrastructure, learning,
enterprise and government. Each pillar addresses one of the goals described above.
5.1 Awareness
Objective 1
Secure a high level of public understanding of the full potential of the Information Society
in working and living.
Strategy
Develop an integrated public information and awareness campaign nationwide.
Objective 2
Provide every citizen and enterprise with affordable access to information networks
and services.
Strategy
Use fiscal incentives to encourage enterprises and households to acquire PCs/information
appliances and deploy appropriate access technology at convenient points in local
communities.
Objective 3
Facilitate the enterprise sector in becoming alert to, and ready to exploit the opportunities
presented by advanced technologies and services.
Strategy
Conduct an awareness campaign addressing the likely impact of the new technologies and
targeting late adopters.
5.2 Infrastructure
Objective 1
Create a fully competitive telecommunications market.
Strategy
Establish a regulatory environment that ensures the fullest possible participation of private
operators in the sector and enables Ireland to reach a rank in the top quartile of OECD
performance indicators.
Objective 2
Provide widespread access to low-cost, high-capacity telecommunications links capable of
supporting multimedia and interactive (broadband) applications for enterprises.
Strategy
Implement a phased roll-out programme which could ultimately connect up to 20,000
Irish enterprises via optical fibre to the telecommunications system. Consideration should
be given to redirecting EU Structural Fund allocations to telecommunications. In
principle, such funding could be provided to Telecom Eireann and other organisations
wishing to invest in new infrastructure.
Objective 3
Provide access to broadband services for the majority of Irish households.
Strategy
Enhance existing cable and wireless networks to provide interactive services and upgrade
the local access network to other residents using enhancement technologies.
5.3 Learning
Objective 1
Provide all citizens with appropriate technology-mediated education and training,
designed to equip them for lifelong learning in the Information Society.
Strategy
Establish a National Learning Initiative designed to integrate appropriate technologies
into curricula and training programmes; enable the teaching professions to become
proficient in advanced technologies; equip schools and learning institutions with
appropriate information and communications technologies.
Objective 2
Encourage third-level institutions to act as enablers of the Information Society.
Strategy
Develop the capability of third-level institutions to stimulate research on the Information
Society, open up the debate, drive curriculum development and develop more linkages
with enterprises and communities and focus on open and distance learning.
Objective 3
Ensure an inclusive society through the widespread adoption of lifelong learning.
Strategy
Develop an awareness programme focused on key groups most in need of up-skilling or
of re-skilling.
Objective 4
Create a culture of learning organisations among enterprises in Ireland.
Strategy
Promote a proactive approach by employers to employee training using advanced
technologies and engage the social partners in developing appropriate change
management programmes and addressing key skill shortages.
5.4 Enterprise
Objective 1
Secure the full adoption and use of information and communications technologies by the
enterprise sector.
Strategy
Run an awareness campaign designed to promote the use of advanced technologies as a
competitive instrument; secure the speedy adoption of common standards for electronic
commerce; develop joint public/private initiatives aimed at the regional adoption of
information and communications technologies.
Objective 2
Secure a strong leadership position for the Irish content industry (e.g. the production of
multimedia educational and entertainment materials).
Strategy
Develop a strategic plan for the content industry addressing the potential of emerging
multimedia technologies and global industry developments.
Objective 3
Support the development of indigenous software enterprises to exploit the benefits of
progress towards the Information Society.
Strategy
Examine and develop the potential for software applications and services in
indigenous sectors.
Objective 4
Maximise the job potential of the Information Society.
Strategy
Establish Ireland as a ‘knowledge hub’ in Europe, serving global markets for technology-mediated
products and services.
5.5 Government
Objective 1
Promote the widespread adoption of the Information Society by all sectors of Irish society.
Strategy
Establish an Information Society Commission responsible for promoting, monitoring and
guiding Ireland’s Information Society strategy.
Objective 2
Ensure the full application of advanced technologies to public services.
Strategy
Extend the application of information and communications technologies to existing
government processes and structures; provide external links (e.g. paying taxes and
collecting benefits) with the general public; and participate fully in EU-wide Information
Society initiatives.
Objective 3
Foster the creation of an inclusive Information Society.
Strategy
Develop and implement initiatives targeted at disadvantaged groups, including the
provision of public access to advanced technologies.
Objective 4
Put in place an appropriate legal framework for the Information Society.
Strategy
Transpose key EU legislation; develop Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) measures; and
put in place appropriate protections against the fraudulent use of advanced technologies.
6. Next Steps
6.1 Getting Started
A number of specific actions for the implementation of the key strategies are set out in the
final chapter of this report. They are not the only actions that need to be taken but they
are the most urgent and the most likely to deliver early results. They include:
Information Society Commission
Establish an Information Society Commission immediately to spearhead the
national strategy.
Actions:
Appoint representatives from government departments and social partners;
Establish benchmarks to be monitored;
Report progress annually to the Oireachtas.
Awareness
Develop and implement awareness campaigns before end-1997.
Actions:
Commission to design and implement campaigns for businesses
and the general public;
Run regional workshops and organise public displays.
Incentives
Determine appropriate fiscal incentives to encourage take-up.
Actions:
Commission to work with the Department of Finance to determine areas of
appropriate change;
Separate incentives designed and implemented for businesses, general public
and schools in place by early 1998;
Incentives to relate to BES schemes and learning credits.
Regulation
Ensure a strong and independent regulatory office for the telecommunications sector.
Actions:
Regulator to:
Operate at arm’s length from the Department of Transport, Energy and
Communications;
Ensure fair and competitive practices in the marketplace;
Ensure optimum management of the communications spectrum;
Monitor and enforce fair rules on interconnection prices;
Facilitate speedy liberalisation outside of derogation controls.
Broadband Services
Provide Irish enterprises and the residential sector with low-cost access to
broadband services.
Actions:
Roll-out broadband services to the enterprise sector in three phases
during 1997-2002;
Offer cable franchise in 1997;
Implement enhancement technology to upgrade the capacity of the
telecommunications network to residences during 1998-2000.
Digital Park
Develop a centre of excellence for the creation, provision and export of content
for the Information Society.
Actions:
Create a business park as a cluster of indigenous and overseas enterprises capable
of serving global customers with new and innovative content via state-of-the-art
communications technologies;
Establish the park as a centre of innovation for the provision of broadband services;
Provide incentives and promote the ‘Digital Park’ on a basis similar to the enterprise
areas scheme;
Use this model to encourage similar regional centres of excellence.
Learning
Establish a National Learning Initiative.
Actions:
Assess teacher training to determine the appropriate incorporation of information
and communications technologies;
Incorporate appropriate information and communications technologies in curricula;
Develop fast-track courses, National Vocational Qualifications and leaving certificate
courses for students at all levels on information and communications technologies.
Legal
Create a legal framework for the Information Society.
Actions:
Amend existing legislation on intellectual property rights to address the new realities
of the digital age;
Develop and adopt new legislation relating to areas not adequately covered by
existing legislation (e.g. electronic commerce).
Information Society Industries
Establish Ireland as a leader in the global provision of information and communications
technology-based services.
Actions:
Expand the development agency programmes encouraging entrepreneurship in
emerging sectors;
Increase multi-disciplinary graduate output in languages, information and
communications technologies and business.
7. Into the Future
7.1 Flagship Projects
Flagship projects are an important part of developing an Information Society.
The Information Society Commission should consider such projects in terms of their
ability to deliver immediate benefits to Ireland’s economy and society, and to encourage
widespread participation in the emerging Information Society. Four potential projects are
outlined below as examples:
1. Virtual Cities
Make Irish cities ‘Info-Cities’, providing their citizens and visitors with on-line access to
information and services using the Internet and related technologies. Dublin, as Ireland’s
capital, should be developed as an Irish ‘virtual city’ demonstration project.
2. Net TV
Make an interactive Irish television series designed to engage the Irish public in an
exploration of the potential of the Information Society.
3. Cyber-Schools
Establish a project to link Ireland’s schools and libraries to the Internet, enabling teachers,
students and parents to witness and explore the ways in which new technologies can support
education and training.
4. Knowledge Resource Centres
Develop a nation-wide network of Knowledge Resource Centres that will be facilitators
between the supply and demand of information and demonstration centres for new
multimedia education and teaching methods.
7.2 The Road Ahead
This report highlights the pace and widespread implications of change arising
from advanced technologies. Such speed demands that Ireland act quickly and decisively.
The future that it addresses is not some distant destination well into the next century.
It is a future that is taking place now. Ireland’s strategy for the Information Society as set
out in this report reflects that urgency and immediacy.
It is a future that all of us - individuals, communities, enterprises and government -
must play a part in shaping.
Meeting the challenge of change demands nothing less. The risk of not taking action
quickly would have significant implications for the competitiveness of the enterprise
sector, employment, standards of living and Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for
mobile investment.
1.1 The Information Society
Throughout the world, the ways people live and do business are being transformed by the
use of information and communications technologies (ICTs). These changes are described
as a global move into the new era of the Information Society.
In the Information Society:
Information is produced, communicated and used intensively;
The constraints of time, distance and location are considerably reduced;
Transactions of all sorts are processed electronically;
Life and work are dramatically altered by the use of information and
communications technologies.
This is happening here and now - the Information Society is not a society far away in the
future. Many aspects are already emerging in daily life. The new information and
communications technologies have already been invented. They will fundamentally
change the ways we live and work together and we cannot turn the clock back.
As a matter of urgency, there is a need to examine the implications of such changes for all
segments of Irish society and set out a strategy for realising the maximum benefits of the
Information Society for all our people.
Other countries and regions are already ahead of us. Singapore and Denmark, for
example, have already set out national strategies for maximising the benefits for their
citizens of the global Information Society. Malaysia plans to leapfrog to the highest
level of economic development through the application of information and
communications technologies to their economic and social structures. Such countries are
pursuing the same benefits:
Participation in the new global economy;
Success for their enterprises;
Employment growth;
Better quality of life for their citizens.
Ireland, too, can share in those benefits if it develops and implements a strategy, unique
to its needs and strengths, for its participation in the global Information Society.
The impact of the Information Society can be compared with that of the Industrial
Revolution. However, the scale and pace of change are of an order of magnitude greater
than in previous historical epochs. In the past, change was inter-generational: parents saw
it happening to their children. In the revolution that is underway, change is ‘intra-generational’:
we see change happening to ourselves. Hence, the urgency of assessing how
A global move into
the new era of the
Information Society
A strategy to prepare
Ireland for the future
Information and Communications
Technologies refer to all systems
that process data (e.g. computers)
and/or transfer it to another
location using a communications
network
(e.g. telephone lines).
1 I n t r o d u c t i o n
the information revolution will impact on Ireland and of preparing a strategy to secure the
maximum benefits for our people in the changing times ahead.
The Information Society Steering Committee has prepared this report to meet
these challenges:
It examines the impact of the Information Society on the Irish economy, on society
and on government;
It determines Ireland’s preparedness for the Information Society;
It sets out the key strategies that will secure Ireland’s future in the Information Society;
It defines what must be done, in order to implement these strategies.
The speed and scale of the revolution now under way demands that Ireland responds with
urgency to the challenges that lie ahead. All our futures depend upon how quickly and
effectively Ireland responds to the challenges. The impact at national and regional levels
will depend on whether or not countries and regions have in place the attitudes,
infrastructure, institutional arrangements, enterprises and educational standards that will
harness the potential which the Information Society offers for the achievement of social
and economic objectives.
1.2 The Forces of Change
We are living through an historic period of technological change, being pulled by the
forces of change towards a future transformed by information and communications
technologies. These key forces can be described in terms of four dimensions:
Economic Dimension
In the last century, Europe moved from a predominantly agrarian to an industrial
model of economy and society; in the closing years of the twentieth century it is
moving towards one based on information and knowledge;
Global Dimension
The Information Society is a global phenomenon, facilitated by a global
telecommunications infrastructure and the emergence of a global economy, in turn
creating an unprecedented global competitive challenge for all businesses;
Technological Dimension
Information, computing and telecommunications technologies have all been subject
to waves of innovation in recent decades, in turn enabling the economic and societal
changes that are the focus of the Information Society debate;
The challenges...
...and the
response required
Four dimensions
of change pull us
towards the future
1 I n t r o d u c t i o n
Human Dimension
The human dimension is perhaps the most important to grasp in envisioning a future
Information Society in Ireland. Citizens, and not just business, have a vested interest
in the transition to the Information Society. Used properly, information technology
can empower people and their communities, put them more in control of their
working lives, allow them greater access to government services and provide an outlet
for their creativity.
1.2.1 The Economic Dimension
The European Union has set itself the task of becoming one of the first Information
Societies in the world, recognising that - as the Bangemann Report
1
noted - "the first
countries to enter the Information Society will reap the greatest rewards ... they will set
the agenda that others must follow".
Economic history suggests that, for a time, the new economic order will exist alongside
the older one, eventually (though not immediately) replacing the old regime. Ireland
experienced industrialisation relatively late by comparison with most of Western Europe
but, partly for that reason, is now relatively well positioned to take advantage of Europe’s
entry into the Information Society.
New types of jobs will emerge in the Information Society as others disappear but, if
Ireland is innovative, the balance can be in the direction of a net increase in employment.
1.2.2 The Global Dimension
A key feature of the technologies underlying the development of the Information Society
is their global impact. Information and communications technologies facilitate the
emergence of an ‘anytime, anywhere’ global economy where any product or service that
can be rendered ‘digital’ can then in turn be made and delivered to anywhere in the world.
This potential ‘death of distance’ has the result that the relative geographical periphery of
places like Ireland will be considerably reduced. The consequences for competition are
enormous. Using information and communications technologies, firms that traditionally
served only local and national markets can now extend their services to new customers in
other countries. The same firms may, however, find their existing customers being
approached by new competitors using the same technologies.
The global inter-connectivity facilitated by information and communications
technologies has implications not only for economics but also for culture, work and
learning, which are all now subject to global forces for change. New webs of alliances are
facilitated between companies across the globe seeking to explore and exploit the
opportunities of the Information Society.
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 5
1 ’Europe and the Global Information Society -Recommendations
to the European Council’,
Ireland is relatively
well positioned
An ’anytime,
anywhere’ global
economy using ICTs is
emerging
80% of business profits and market
value will come from that part of
the enterprise that is built around
ICTs by 2020.
E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y
1.2.3 The Technological Dimension
It is not a single technology but rather a combination of technologies that is driving the
shift in the global economic order. Micro-processors * enable computers to process more
information more quickly and at a falling cost. Memory technology permits the storage of
large volumes of data and information at low cost. User-friendly software allows people
to perform tasks which hitherto required programming knowledge. Broadband
telecommunications networks can link organisations and people around the world in real
time, facilitating the exchange of huge amounts of data, including image and voice.
However, more has yet to come. As shown in Exhibit 1.1, a pattern of rapidly accelerating
growth is emerging in:
Demand for faster computing (information processing);
Advanced communications markets (tools and networks).
Accompanying these is a corresponding fall in the cost of:
Basic technologies (electronics, fibre, etc.);
Storage and processing costs (cost per bit).
The result will be significant improvements in the overall price/performance ratios of
these advanced technologies.
Exhibit 1.1 Overview of Telecommunications Trends
The rate of take-up of this technology among businesses, governments and households is
still low outside of North America and the Scandinavian countries, indicating
considerable room for growth across Europe and Asia.
New technologies
drive the changes...
...together with
improvements in overall
price/performance ratios
Take-up of
technology is low...
1 I n t r o d u c t i o n
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 6 * Technical terms are defined in the glossary.
Concurrently, the speed of structural change is increasing. The structures of companies are
changing in light of the application of information technologies, with new forms of work
organisation and more flexible structures emerging. Each year, on average, more than 10
per cent of all jobs disappear and are replaced by different jobs in new processes and in
new enterprises which generally require new, higher or broader skills.
The role of information and communications technologies in the Information Society is
no longer about capability (how well the technology performs) but about applications and
access (how it can be used and who uses it). The content moving through the information
infrastructure will be the key determinant of demand from businesses and consumers.
This will shape the future pattern of services in the Information Society.
1.2.4 The Human Dimension
The new technologies create the potential for massive changes in how we do business and
how we live our lives. However, the kind of future society we live in is substantially
determined by the choices that we as citizens and as a society make now. While more of
our work and activities will be mediated by the new technologies, the exact form of the
society that will evolve will be determined by many factors: personal, social, economic and
political as well as technical.
An immensely exciting dimension of the move into the Information Society is the
opportunity which it will generate for people in all walks of life to discuss the kind
of society they would like to have and then to use the new technologies to achieve
their vision.
People are the most valuable resource to organisations in a knowledge-based economy
because of their capacity to turn information into useful knowledge. The real potential of
information and communications technologies, therefore, lies not in replacing people but
in enhancing their abilities. They can support people in achieving more control over their
lives - the power to decide when to work and when to take leisure; to create and distribute
content over electronic networks and to exploit knowledge for self-development.
New technologies can remove those routine tasks that detract from work satisfaction and
contribute to those that do. The challenge is to ensure that those in or seeking
employment are equipped with the skills to reap the benefits. It follows that the most
important skill of all is the capacity to continually acquire and apply new skills, i.e. life-long
learning must become a reality.
Given the policies and investment necessary in the Information Society to develop a new
system of life-long education and training, the opportunity arises also for disadvantaged
groups, such as the unemployed, disabled and unskilled, to acquire new skills and
...but the speed of
structural change
is increasing
People can now
discuss the kind of
society they would like
to have...
...and use the new
technologies to
achieve that vision...
...which is inclusive of
all groups and areas
Just 5% of Europe’s schools had
access to the Internet in 1995,
compared to one third of all
schools in the United States.
Source: RTD Info 1/97
competencies and to participate more fully in paid employment. Similarly, the potential
exists for remote regions and rural areas to benefit more equally in the employment and
wealth creating potential of the Information Society, without compromising the quality
of life and amenities that such locations enjoy.
1.3 The Implications for Ireland
What will the Information Society mean for Ireland? The broad implications follow.
1.3.1 Economic
Competitiveness
Ireland is already one of the most open economies in the world. Yet large sections of the
economy (particularly in services) remain relatively sealed off from international
competitive forces. That will change in the Information Society. All services capable of
being traded (including financial, communications and some retailing services) will face
much greater levels of competition.
Irish businesses must use the new technologies to enhance their efficiency and
effectiveness in order to compete in this global economy. Appropriate communications
infrastructures and services will be an essential prerequisite to enable them to compete.
These new forms of infrastructure will be a more important economic instrument in the
future than road or rail networks.
New Businesses
New opportunities for business development will be created, e.g. the production of
content for new multimedia services. But it is essential to recognise that every business
will be affected by information and communications technologies. The impact will be
pervasive. It will affect:
How production is undertaken and organised;
How products and services are delivered to customers;
How markets are developed and accessed.
New Jobs
Many new entrants to Ireland’s workforce in 15 years time will be doing jobs that do not
even exist at present. Most will require the use of advanced technologies - even more
powerful successors to today’s information and communications technologies. Many types
of existing jobs will not be available or will see drastic reductions in numbers. On balance,
however, Ireland can provide increased job opportunities and a growing workforce if we
meet the challenge of the Information Society now.
Greater levels of
competition will
demand higher levels
of effectiveness
Every business
will be affected
In the United States, it is forecast that the numbers employed as bank tellers will have fallen by 40% between 1994 and 2005, while those employed as computer analysts and programmers will have increased by 90%.
Work Organisation
The type of work that we do will change in the Information Society. So also will the
location of work for many people. Already, enterprises are being transformed away from
hierarchical organisations with simple jobs to more decentralised and networked
organisations with more complex jobs.
Teleworking (working from home or other non-office locations using information and
communications technologies) will become a feature of most people’s work pattern, even
if only a minority are teleworking at any one point in time. There will be greater
collaboration between individual specialists and corporations, creating alliances to tackle
particular projects and to develop new products and services.
Regional Impact
The Information Society provides the opportunity to minimise the adverse effects of
distance and remoteness. New technologies, coupled with the provision of adequate
communications infrastructures, can result in the lessening of the traditional advantages
enjoyed by those in the ‘core’ over those at the ‘periphery’ of national and even
international economies.
The potential exists for local and regional economies in Ireland to match the level of
economic development enjoyed in the main urban centres, drawing on the rich potential
of information and communications technologies to connect firms in the regions to
customers all over the world.
1.3.2 Social
The Information Society can make a significant contribution to the achievement of a
more developed and inclusive society in Ireland.
Lifestyle
Within 15 years Ireland could be enjoying a standard of living at least equal to the EU
average, such is the present pace of economic growth. However, this opportunity also
presents a challenge. To achieve such an out-turn will require the widespread adoption and
application of information technologies with their corresponding infrastructure. Meeting
this challenge successfully must become a critical national objective.
Information technology can empower people and their communities, putting them more
in control of their working lives and allowing them greater access to government services.
Education
The Information Society provides a powerful means of advancing individual potential
through educational attainment. At vocational level it presents people with the necessity
of constantly up-dating their skills. Lifelong learning is, therefore, a feature of the
Information Society.
Employment structures
and working
conditions will change
The advantages of
’core’ location over
’periphery’ will be
lessened
If we meet the
challenges, our
standard of living
will rise to at least
the EU average
Five years ago, the numbers
employed in call centre operations
in Ireland were minimal. Today their
number exceeds 4,000. Within four
years the number will double.
Source: Forfas
The education and training system will have to be transformed in order to take advantage
of the opportunities that the new information and communications technologies bring in
meeting education objectives and to respond also to the scale and speed of re-skilling that
the Information Society will entail for Ireland’s labour force. This transformation will
extend from policy making to curriculum development, teaching methods and teacher
training. The sources of education and training must be extended beyond the traditional
institutions to include the home, the community, enterprises and other organisations.
Education must be built around learning and supporting the achievement of individual
potential. Education systems must also be restructured so that learning institutions
become more responsive to changes in the skills needed by businesses and industries. This
is a key to job creation. There are also important responsibilities for each individual if his
or her ‘employability’ is to be maintained and enhanced in the Information Society.
Inclusiveness
A national strategy for the Information Society must ensure that people are included, not
excluded. Without adequate planning, many additional people will gravitate to the
margins of the Information Society, unable to find their place and denied access to
information for a variety of reasons.
With effective policies, equality of opportunity between women and men can
be enhanced by the potential of information and communications technologies to
improve the balance between family and working life. However, attention must be given
to the very different impact of these technologies on women and men, and to their design
in this context.
If we decide that access to the skills and information people need in an Information
Society will be universal and affordable, many groups considered disadvantaged in
the context of Ireland’s present economic and social structures will find it considerably
easier to participate in the economic benefits of the Information Society. Such groups
include the unemployed, those with disabilities, dispersed communities and those
unskilled at present.
Our strategy must
encourage inclusion
Less than a third of employees
in Ireland use PCs, compared with
half of all employees in the USA.
1.3.3 Government
The implications of the Information Society for government should also be noted.
Citizen-centred services
The Information Society will have profound implications for the nature of government
and the delivery of its services. Given government commitment, information and
communications technologies can facilitate the provision of basic on-line services (e.g.
public information and education) for all citizens, irrespective of geographical location
and at affordable prices.
The challenge for government is to deliver more with less as people increasingly demand
better services but, as taxpayers, are unwilling to pay more. The new technologies can
enable government - central, local and its agencies - to provide quality services that offer
choice and convenience to individuals and enterprises alike.
Such services will require the creation of local access points to electronic information
services, leading to greater responsiveness in government. Coupled with a general public
competent to adapt to this new environment and willing to do so, public administrations
will be able to respond to people’s needs more efficiently and flexibly.
Supporting Change
The government can provide a framework conducive to the development of the
Information Society in Ireland. In particular, the development of appropriate educational
services and telecommunications infrastructure will be determined over the next few years
by government policy. Other legislation on issues such as intellectual property rights will
also be essential to ensure that the regulatory environment provides the optimum support
for progress towards the Information Society.
Local Government
Information and communications technologies have the potential to transform local
and regional government. Information for decision making can be disseminated
down to the lowest appropriate level, reducing the need for the present level of
centralised administration.
Inclusive Society
Measures must be taken (e.g. through publicity and demonstrations) to build awareness,
confidence and competence in the Information Society. The government must ensure that
Irish citizens have the opportunity to share in the fruits of Ireland’s progress towards the
Information Society. A government commitment to universal public access to the new
technologies is essential in achieving this (e.g. through the availability of local access
points to information services).
The government can
deliver more with
less and provide
new services for all
We need a supportive
environment...
...with confidence
in progress
1.4 The Promise of the Future
The Information Society will affect all segments of Ireland’s population and touch all
aspects of our lives. It holds out the promise that everybody can benefit from the
revolution under way. The greatest benefit will be to those who are the quickest to adapt
to change. Failure to undertake the necessary actions could place those benefits at risk.
The success of Irish firms in a global information economy will rely crucially on their
adoption of appropriate technologies and on their application to enhancing
competitiveness. This in turn will rely on the availability of an advanced infrastructure at
the right price in the right places. Properly used, information and communications
technologies will enable Irish firms to compete successfully in global markets, to improve
their wealth creation capabilities, to increase their workforces and to develop alliances
with new partners at home and abroad.
The promise of the Information Society holds out the opportunity to transform Ireland’s
public institutions, including government and educational institutions, to the
considerable benefit of the end recipients of public services. By providing access to
information in all its various forms, be they great works of art or public archives or a new
scientific discovery, the new information and communications technologies give a new
meaning to the cliche ‘Knowledge is power’.
Finally, as Ireland puts measures in place to move towards a fully-developed Information
Society, our standard of living will converge to at least the European average. The
economic fruits of the Information Society will be enjoyed by all our citizens. The promise
of greater regional cohesion will be fulfilled as the benefits of the Information Society are
brought to even the remotest parts of the country.
Everyone can benefit
’Knowledge is power’
- a new meaning
2.1 A Vision for Ireland as an Information Society
In order to realise the benefits of the Information Society for Ireland, we must have a clear
vision of our destination and the strategies that will take us there. Such a vision must describe
the essence of a future Information Society in Ireland, noting its most salient features, as well
as stressing its uniquely Irish context.
These features will include the potential of the Information Society to:
Enhance the cultural and creative strengths of the Irish people including the diaspora;
Create new types of employment;
Enable Irish enterprises to create wealth;
Enable our people to enjoy a better quality of life.
Just such a vision for Ireland as an Information Society is set out below:
Ireland is a unique community, rich in culture, learning and
creativity where the Information Society is embraced:
to support the talents of our people;
to create employment, wealth and vibrant,
inclusive communities;
and where citizens participate more actively in government.
This Vision makes it clear that the Information Society is not an end in itself but rather a
means to a number of ends - economic, social and cultural.
This Vision for Ireland is a vision that puts people - not technology - at the heart of the
Information Society.
2.2 Life in the Information Society
Beyond the Vision must lie an understanding of the type of society that Ireland might
become. While it is not possible to predict exactly what Ireland will be like as an Information
Society, it is possible to speculate about some of the most likely features.
The outline that follows draws a deliberately positive picture of a future Information Society
in Ireland. It is, in fact, the Vision set out in greater detail, painting a picture of how people
can participate fully in an Information Society. The commentaries are written with a view to
what Ireland could be like in the not too distant future, quoting relevant, current trends that
herald such a future.
The potential to enjoy
a better quality of life
A unique community
embracing the
Information Society
The destination
that Ireland can
reach through full
participation in the
Information Society
2 E n v i s i o n i n g t h e F u t u r e
That said, the future cannot be taken for granted. It is the objective of this report to set
out the strategies that will turn the Vision into a reality for Ireland in the early part of the
next century.
But first a look at the destination that Ireland might reach if it successfully completes the
transition to an Information Society.
2.2.1 People and the Information Society
Homes
The Information Society will lead to the transformation of people’s lives and the enrichment
of those lives through the use of information and communications technologies.
In particular:
Homes will be almost universally equipped with the new communications technologies.
Most telephone subscribers will have access to the Internet and similar networks as part
of their standard service;
New home, culture and leisure activities will evolve as people and groups are networked
throughout the world for their mutual benefit;
Broadband systems will link households, libraries, local government, health services,
businesses and schools to national and global networks;
People’s working lives will change as a result and the boundaries between home, work
and learning will become blurred.
Work
Distributed work - involving work done at a distance on a computer linked to a wider
network - will become important for a growing number of people (perhaps as many as
50,000 according to Forbairt/Telecom Eireann’s ‘TeleFutures’ report). They will either work
for themselves or on a flexible basis for their employers or with international colleagues using
the new technologies.
A key segment of the population that will benefit from distributed work will be the disabled
and other disadvantaged groups, experiencing the potential of information
and communications technologies to bring work to them rather than forcing them to go
to the work.
A world of new working patterns will mean that people will experience the benefits and
challenges of flexible working, self employment and teleworking, experiencing a better
quality of life but a less predictable career path.
Public services
Public information, health and leisure services will be transformed by information and
communications technologies which will be used to deliver many services to individuals in
their homes or locally. New technologies will also assist service providers (e.g. public servants
and doctors) to work more effectively in their traditional settings.
Homes will become
centres for learning,
work and leisure as
well as family life
New work patterns will
become important
Many services will
be available on-line
2 E n v i s i o n i n g t h e F u t u r e
Education
The Information Society will also be the ‘lifelong learning society’, and the sources of
education and training will extend beyond traditional education establishments to include
all areas of society. It will enhance the capacity of individuals to develop their full intellectual
potential and arm the education system with a powerful new instrument to achieve
education objectives. The perception of education as something that is gone through in the
early part of people’s lives will shift to that of a continuous process that carries on throughout
one’s life. Teachers and other educators will be re-trained to adapt to these changing concepts
and to fully exploit the new opportunities.
Employment
The emphasis will change from training to become an employee to acquiring skills which are
marketable. Thus, increasingly, people will look for ‘customers’ instead of ‘employers’.
Relevant skills will be largely based on the new technologies.
The problem of unemployment will be tackled in new ways as the concepts of ‘work’ and
‘jobs’ change, with consequent new opportunities for more of our citizens to gain paid
employment. Innovative technology-based training and employment initiatives will be
developed and aimed at the long-term unemployed in particular.
The ‘Lifelong Learning
Society’ will emerge
People will look for
‘customers’ rather
than ‘employers’
2 E n v i s i o n i n g t h e F u t u r e
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 18
Below, a fictional example of what life in the Information Society will be like for one of
its citizens is set out.
A Day In The Life
Sinead wakes up on Saturday morning, wanders down to the kitchen and turns
on the flat-panel monitor hanging on the wall. The television is, of course, in
the living room, but Sinead insisted on having an extra monitor in the kitchen.
In the living room the children are playing video games with their friends over
the net. She chooses the news channel and watches it as she eats breakfast. She
then switches over to digital services and logs onto her mailbox to check her
messages.
The supermarket has e-mailed her to let her know her shopping is ready for
collection or delivery. She had ordered it on the supermarket’s web site earlier
in the week, preferring to save time and safe in the knowledge that any items
not in stock will be ordered for her. Her father has left a message to say he will
speak to them later on the video phone. As he lives some distance away, this
gives him a chance to see his grandchildren, although he still finds it a little
strange to see them via the television.
A few bills have come in, so Sinead logs onto her bank account and settles them
immediately. She checks the electricity bill against the latest reading logged
onto her home computer. The car insurance bill seems a bit high. She checks the
record kept on the computer and decides it is time to see if she can get a better
deal elsewhere. She scans the digital services pages on the web to see who is
giving the best insurance deals, selects one and registers her new policy.
While on-line, Sinead downloads her personalised electronic newspaper and logs
onto the doctor’s surgery to book her next appointment for her recurring
shoulder problem. Her doctor has already advised that he has received, via e-mail,
her X-ray from the hospital together with a diagnosis from her specialist.
The local pharmacy has also confirmed by e-mail that her prescription is ready
for collection.
Having got the business of the day out of the way, she sets the home’s computer
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 19
2.2.2 Business and the Information Society
Centre of Excellence
The Information Society will give birth to a ‘Second Renaissance’ in Europe in general and
in Ireland in particular. A fuller and more enriching exploitation of Ireland’s cultural
and language heritage will result in a new flowering of creativity, cultural development and
community growth. Ireland will become a major centre of excellence for the provision
and export of content for new media such as the Internet.
Entrepreneurship
We will witness an unprecedented wave of entrepreneurial activity as a growing number
of people set up their own companies offering internationally traded services from Ireland.
A wave of small niche companies will blossom, serving previously ‘inaccessible’ markets
that have been opened up by the power of global ICT infrastructures. They will build
alliances and partnerships between companies of different size, in different countries and
in different industries. Foreign language acquisition will, therefore, be a priority in the
Information Society.
Knowledge
The key asset of most companies will be knowledge, the only sustainable competitive
advantage in the Information Society. Organisations will become learning enterprises, while
lifelong learning facilitated by ICTs will provide a new type of security for workers. This will
be security based on employability rather than lifetime employment with the same firm
or in the same job. Irish companies will adopt best practice methods for staff development
and training.
The most exciting applications of information and communication technologies in this
context will be those designed to transform customer services and to create and deliver new
products and services. New opportunities in both content and delivery will open up a range
of new wealth and employment creating opportunities in Ireland. These will require lower
capital outlays than those traditionally associated with the Information Technology (IT)
industry and thus will be more open to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and
young entrepreneurs.
Telecommunications
In this future scenario, broadband communications will be accessible to all, with the result
that even small Irish companies will be linked to the most powerful communications
infrastructures. Enterprises will regularly form global alliances and networks to team up for
global projects or clients, creating ‘virtual-style’ companies. (An example of this is the way in
which the film industry sub-contracts services from all over the world, making the physical
location of the set irrelevant). Information and communications technologies will enable
such enterprises to provide international clients with the same quality of service as large
companies traditionally reliant on extensive office networks and other overheads.
A ‘Second Renaissance’
of culture and
community
A wave of small niche
companies will
blossom
The key asset will
be knowledge
‘Virtual-style’
companies will provide
quality services
2 E n v i s i o n i n g t h e F u t u r e
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 20
In a liberalised telecommunications environment, tariffs for standard telephony services will
be forced down by competition, while most telecommunications companies
(and many non-traditional providers of telecommunications services) will develop new
value-added services providing new revenues and profits.
Inclusion
The Social Partners will work closely together in order to manage the transition towards the
new working and learning paradigms. A very different business culture and set of
management practices - based on trust and commitment - will play a key part in Ireland’s
progress towards the Information Society. Such a culture will also assist the development of
innovative work practices.
Businesses and communities in Ireland’s regions will - through the medium of broadband
telecommunications - play a full part in the commercial opportunities of the Information
Society. As information and communications technologies overcome the ‘friction of
distance’, employment and wealth will be more equitably distributed throughout Ireland,
reflecting the availability of skills rather than the availability of roads, airports and other such
influences on previous regional development.
Business culture and
management practices
based on trust and
commitment will play
an important part
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 21
A Day In The Job
Aoife has arranged to work out of the office today, so she goes into the study
and, using her network appliance, logs onto the company network. Aoife and
her group are currently working on the marketing strategy of a new product. She
first views her team’s work schedule to check the status of her own work and
that of her colleagues. Any new developments will have been posted on the
team’s bulletin board, so everyone is aware of the most up to date situation.
Aoife has been assigned to track the international competition and so spends a
great deal of her time on-line, looking at their web marketing information. Her
company would like the marketing campaign to stress how its product fills a gap
left by the shortfalls of its competitors’ products and, of course, to offer the
maximum information to the customer.
Aoife also stays in constant contact with overseas partners and suppliers,
anxious to be kept informed of any new developments in the market place and
to feed back reaction to her own company’s initiatives. Aoife originally worked
as a secretary but chose to specialise in this field early on in her career and so
her employer has offered her extensive training in business practices, in
marketing skills and, of course, in communications. From one of her contacts,
Aoife has been alerted to a useful conference which took place in Kuala Lumpur
last month; she accesses the conference files and downloads the video and
transcripts. She then downloads the files she needs to work on today. Aoife
finds that she often works better at home, undisturbed by the comings and
goings of the office. A meeting has been scheduled with an advertising agency
later in the day; she decides to participate by video-conference from home, thus
avoiding the city during rush hour.
Later that evening she has time to refer to her tutor in Kyoto University about
A fictional example of a working day in the Information Society is set out below.
2 E n v i s i o n i n g t h e F u t u r e
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 22
2.2.3 Government and the Information Society
Creating the Right Environment
The government will play a key role in the provision of an environment to support and
facilitate the development of the Information Society. ‘Government on-line’ (provision of
citizen-centred services accessible to all) will be established, using information and
communications technologies to bring government services closer to the people.
The government will create the right regulatory environment conducive to the optimum
level of investment in ICT infrastructures and to the establishment of market level prices
for advanced telecommunications services. Other legislation will also play a key part
in Ireland’s progress, including legislation on intellectual property rights (IPR) and freedom
of information.
On-line Public Services
Government will become more accessible and responsive to its citizens’ needs. On-line
public services will be available to all from home and from local access points at public
libraries and other community locations. Free or low cost access to public databases and
information services will be provided.
The work of front-line providers of government services will be transformed in the
Information Society. They will be similarly empowered by information and communications
technologies to provide citizen-centred services. The government will play a key role in
guiding the widespread adoption of information and communications technologies in
education, health, social welfare and other public services.
Regional Impact
Decision-making processes will be more localised, allowing community and regional
democracy to flourish. This will rejuvenate regional and local government in Ireland, with
political representatives giving as much attention to their local telecommunications
infrastructure as to their local roads.
Indeed, the regional impact of the Information Society will be substantial. Given the right
strategy, active participation from our communities will be enhanced and local communities
will be revitalised.
Government will
play a key role...
...in creating an
enabling
environment...
...using the new
technologies to
provide on-line
services...
...and in enhancing
local community
participation
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 23
2.1 A Vision for Ireland as an Information Society
Government Services
Cormac has recently returned to Ireland after eight years overseas. He has set
aside today to sort out his PAYE, car registration and children’s allowances
following his homecoming. ‘I’ll be back whenever’, he thinks as he sets off in
the rain, contemplating the trials ahead.
Cormac has heard all about the government on-line services; now it’s time to
find out if they’re as good as people say. The Tax Office is his first port of call
as he will need a tax certificate and his most recent P60 for his new employer.
He is surprised to see a self-service kiosk as he enters the building and tries to
use it. However, although all the basic information is available on-line, he
cannot get the official material he needs. On-line help confirms that he will
need a personal smartcard
to secure the necessary files since his identity must first be authenticated.
The assistant at the help desk explains that the systems were set up to ensure
that private information remains private but that she can issue his smartcard
to him immediately. Five minutes later he has his smartcard containing the
information he requires.
Reassured, he moves towards the door but the rain is even heavier now. He
decides to stay a little longer to see what other services are being offered in
the kiosks.
It appears that all public service bodies are accessible through the one device
since all their information systems are based around a common standard.
Information on local schools, health screening, employment opportunities,
courses in the local college, even train timetables are all available at the touch
of a button. In the next 10 minutes he is able to register his children with the
Department of Social Welfare, notify the council of his ownership of the car he
bought last week and
take printouts of several vacancies which he thinks might be of interest to
2 E n v i s i o n i n g t h e F u t u r e
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 24
2.3 Consequences of Inaction
Ireland’s future as an Information Society is not pre-determined. Nor can it be taken for
granted. The picture of Ireland following the proactive transition to the Information Society
is of a country which enjoys a significantly higher standard of living and quality of life than
it does now.
But what if we do not even set out on the path to transition, or if required actions are only
partially or too slowly addressed? The consequent picture that emerges is highly unattractive.
Large numbers of the public will remain uninformed about the Information Society and
therefore unprepared for issues that will profoundly affect their work, leisure and private
lives. Irish enterprises, particularly SMEs, will fail to appreciate the potential benefits of
deployment of the technologies in their organisations, causing an erosion of their
competitiveness in the marketplace.
Piecemeal, inadequate and delayed investment in Ireland’s broadband telecommunications
infrastructure, priced uncompetitively, will leave Irish firms and consumers without the key
means to participate fully in the social and economic life of the Information Society.
Firms in the services sector will find themselves exposed to severe competition from overseas
service companies using information and communications technologies to provide better
services to Irish customers at lower prices. They will be using the advantages of the
Information Society to compete in the services sector in Ireland and to secure substantial
gains in market share.
Rather than upgrading the skills of existing workers, employers will displace existing
employees with new employees with the right skills. Overseas investors will look elsewhere
for the skills pools that they need to stay ahead. Such a reduction in the participation of
multinational players in the key sectors in Ireland will also reduce or even close the access to
global production, marketing and development networks enjoyed by many Irish suppliers
to these sectors.
Meanwhile, enterprises that Ireland would like to attract and grow will find that the
necessary skills, infrastructure, etc., have become unavailable in Ireland (e.g. multimedia
developers will not develop product in Ireland if the required low-cost, high-bandwidth
is not available). Opportunities to develop new markets, such as in multimedia content,
will remain under-developed.
The education and training systems in place at the time would be increasingly questioned by
employers, parents, teachers and students themselves. Information intensive jobs would
remain the exclusive preserve of the ‘information-rich’ and the more economically and
socially advantaged.
If we do not set out
bravely on the path...
...we will lose
competitiveness in the
global marketplace...
...overseas investors
will look elsewhere
for skills
Current learning
systems will not
be adequate...
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 25
Changes in the overall structure of the workforce (e.g. decline in agricultural employment,
unskilled manual employment) will mean that many people will find themselves poorly
equipped for jobs in new types of work and new forms of employment. In such a scenario,
increasing numbers of people will become marginalised. Long-term unemployed people will
find it increasingly difficult to re-engage in the labour market. For many workers, the
experiences and training acquired in the early part of their working lives will become
irrelevant to the new jobs that emerge.
Social exclusion will become a more serious political issue as more people find themselves
increasingly ill-equipped for an Information Society driven exclusively by market needs.
A general lack of institutional effectiveness could erode overall national competitiveness.
More generally in such a scenario, Ireland’s unemployment rate will most likely rise from its
present level rather than fall. The numbers suffering long-term unemployment (particularly
the ‘information poor’) will rise precipitously. As other countries in Europe and Asia set
about reaping the full benefits of the Information Society, the standard of living would fall
relative to the European average.
Finally, as the impact of social exclusion is felt by citizens, so the quality of life in Ireland -in
terms of social harmony and law and order generally - will steadily worsen.
2.4 The Goals to be Achieved
Given the scale and scope of the changes that lie ahead, the goals for Ireland as an
Information Society must reflect these changes and provide an integrated response to the
challenges that they pose. The goals identified by the Information Society Steering
Committee are as follows:
1. Awareness
To ensure popular support for, and participation in, a future Information Society in order
to secure the full benefits for all citizens and enterprises in every part of Ireland.
Citizens and businesses must be involved in the development of the Information Society,
supporting the direction of progress and actively embracing the full range of opportunities
that the Information Society will offer.
2. Infrastructure
To have an advanced telecommunications infrastructure capable of supporting enterprise
and citizen demands in the Information Society.
Ireland must continuously benchmark itself against the best provision of
telecommunications services in terms of the scale, scope and pricing of services including
broadband technologies; the infrastructure must be the optimum required to assist Irish
enterprises to compete internationally.
...because existing
skills will become
irrelevant...
...and long-term
unemployment
will rise rapidly
Ireland’s quality
of life will worsen
The following goals
provide an integrated
response to the
challenges that
lie ahead
2 E n v i s i o n i n g t h e F u t u r e
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 26
3. Learning
To ensure that education and training practices incorporate the appropriate use of
information and communications technologies in order to enable people to benefit fully
from the Information Society both educationally and vocationally.
The appropriate application of information and communications technologies to teaching
practice and content at first, second and third level must be pursued to develop skills for the
Information Society. Particular emphasis must be given to the maximum appropriate
application of the technologies to vocational training, including in-company training.
4. Enterprises
To ensure that Irish enterprises adopt and use information and communications technologies
and that they participate successfully in key growth markets in the Information Society.
Every Irish firm, whether small, medium or large, must be encouraged to apply information
and communications technologies to their operational and marketing functions, and to
explore opportunities in new growth sectors such as content.
5. Government
To deploy information and communications technologies in government for the provision
of citizen-centred services and to develop and implement policies that support the transition
to the Information Society.
Government will have a dual responsibility in enabling the Information Society. It must
apply information and communications technologies to the full range of public services in
order to bring the Information Society into contact with all citizens. Government policies on
legislation regarding ICT industries, intellectual property rights and related issues must
facilitate the emergence of the Information Society.
In summary, the achievement of these goals represents an ambition to put Ireland at the
leading edge of progress towards the Information Society in Europe, ensuring that all sectors
of society participate in that progress and that the full benefits of Ireland’s transition to an
Information Society are actually realised.
3.1 Ireland’s Preparedness for the Information Society
In light of the goals set out in Chapter 2, this section examines Ireland’s preparedness for
the Information Society in the following key areas:
1. Awareness
The degree to which the enterprise sector and the general public are aware of, positive
towards and embrace the emerging technologies at the heart of the Information Society.
2. Infrastructure
The availability, cost and usage of broadband communications services to homes,
businesses and institutions.
3. Learning
Training in information and communications technologies and their use in education,
training and learning.
4. Enterprise
The development of new business opportunities in information and communications
technology-based sectors and the take up of ICTs in Irish enterprises.
5. Government
The promotion of the Information Society and the government’s own usage of
information and communications technologies.
How prepared
are we for the
Information
Society?
3.2 Awareness
Two quantitative surveys of the general public and the Irish business community were
carried out by Lansdowne Market Research on behalf of the Information Society Steering
Committee between July and September 1996. Both surveys were designed to measure
the prevailing degree of awareness of key themes relating to the Information Society, as
well as interest in and usage of the actual and potential features of information and
communications technologies. They provide an essential benchmark for future
assessments of Ireland’s progress towards the Information Society.
3.2.1 General Public Survey
The findings are quite sobering: only small minorities of Irish citizens are familiar with
the key technologies deemed essential to the full development of an Information Society.
This indicates the immense task which lies ahead in raising levels of awareness,
let alone usage.
The key messages to emerge from the general public survey were:
Only one in five adults uses a PC;
One in twenty adults uses the Internet or a similar on-line service;
98% of people in Connaught/Ulster do not use the Internet/on-line services;
Public awareness of the technologies necessary for participation in the
Information Society is very low;
Certain citizens are particularly uninformed, especially non-office workers,
the unemployed, home-carers and people involved in agriculture;
Where access to the technology exists, usage inevitably follows;
Most people see the technology as particularly important for the next generation
and are, therefore, receptive to initiatives targeted at children;
There is little appreciation of or interest in virtual transactions,
(e.g. on-line shopping);
A majority of the general public expects a favourable impact on their lives
from information and communications technologies.
An immense
task lies ahead
Only one in five
adults uses a PC...
...but where access
exists, usage follows
The Irish general
public is quite positive
about information and
communications
technologies
3.2.2 Business Survey
It is clear that the business community is more aware of the various technologies
facilitating the emergence of the Information Society. However, despite the higher levels
of awareness, there is still a major challenge to be overcome.
The key messages to emerge from the business survey were:
90% of business respondents say they have heard of on-line services
(compared to 43% of the general public);
33% of senior managers have heard of the Information Society
(compared with 19% of the general public);
75% of businesses have a modem, yet only half use e-mail;
Four in ten have access to the Internet or computer controlled machinery devices;
Information and communications technologies do not feature very highly among the
issues foremost in the minds of chief executives (taxation and competition are higher);
There is a recognition that information technology skills will be vital for the future,
alongside financial and marketing skills;
The firms attaching most importance to information technology are foreign owned,
larger firms in the manufacturing and financial services sectors;
No significant concern about information technology skills shortages appears outside
of the ICT industries themselves (shortages in the areas of innovation and marketing
feature more strongly);
While there is a level of recognition of the terms used in association with the
Information Society, few claim a strong degree of familiarity with the technology;
By a small majority, the business community believes that the emerging information
economy would ‘create more jobs than it destroys’.
Four in ten businesses
have access to the
Internet
ICTs are not
considered to be key
issues in enterprise
Few claim a strong
degree of familiarity
with the technology
3.2.3 Conclusions
The surveys point to both a weakness and a strength regarding Ireland’s progress towards
the Information Society:
The weakness lies in the fact that only a minority of Irish adults and Irish businesses
have any actual experience of using the information and communications
technologies crucial to the evolution of a fully-fledged Information Society;
The strength is that the majority of Irish adults and businesses are, on balance,
positive about the likelihood and impact of a future Information Society;
The need to convert positive attitudes into greater understanding and usage;
The research also highlights the degree to which those most comfortable with
information and communications technologies are already more likely to use it
than the public generally. A key factor in stimulating greater usage of ICTs among
current low user groups will likely be the increasing user-friendliness of the
technology, approaching that of the telephone and the TV;
The challenge will be to ensure that the right infrastructure at the right price will
be available to turn positive attitudes into increasing usage of advanced information
and communications technologies.
3.3 Infrastructure
3.3.1 The Importance of Telecommunications
The benefits of the emerging Information Society mostly derive from the capabilities of
the new digital technology where words, sounds and pictures can be converted into digital
messages, the language of computers. These messages can be manipulated, stored and
transmitted in huge quantities, more quickly and efficiently than ever before. People
exploiting computer power can simultaneously transmit and receive words, sounds,
pictures and video (multimedia) via broadband (high-bandwidth) networks.
Provided we have access to an information appliance (computer, interactive TV, video-telephone,
etc.) and to the required broadband networks, we will be able to communicate,
organise and process information when we want, for whom we want and, increasingly,
wherever we want.
For many countries, this situation is increasingly becoming a reality. Ireland now has the
opportunity of moving into the first division of nations that is putting the infrastructure
in place to make this vision a reality.
The development of an advanced telecommunications network providing access to
broadband services at competitive prices is essential for Ireland to evolve to a fully
developed Information Society and service-based economy into the next century. It will
also be crucial to the competitiveness and efficiency of the enterprise sector and to
Ireland’s continued attractiveness as a location for inward investment.
Future enterprise development will be critically dependent on such an advanced
telecommunications infrastructure, because:
The share of information industries dependent on advanced communications in the
European economy is expected to rise to between 10 and 15 per cent of GDP
1
;
The EU Commission
2
estimates that the telecommunications sector will account for
six per cent of GDP by the year 2000;
The full availability of advanced communications services in Ireland could lead to the
creation of 48,000 jobs over the period to 2005
3
.
High-speed
communications
networks and services
are making
information the key
resource
The development
of an advanced
telecommunications
network is crucial
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 33
1 OECD, Communications Outlook, 1995
2 White Paper on ‘Growth, Competitiveness,
Employment’, EU Commission, 1993.
3 ‘Employment Effects of Telecommunications
Liberalisation in Europe’ BIPE, 1996,
applied to Ireland.
Ireland’s aspiration
to the premier
league in advanced
telecommunications
services - the
implications
3 P r e p a r i n g f o r t h e I n f o r m a t i o n S o c i e t y
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 34
4 Submission by Ireland to the European
Commission: Transition Period in Relation to the
Implementation of Full Liberalisation of the
Telecommunications Market in Ireland (May
1996)
1. Mainlines per 100 inhabitants
2. % digitalisation of infrastructure
3. Cellular mobile subscribers per
100 inhabitants
4. Telecommunications investment
as % of revenue
5. Tariffs (business)
6. Tariffs (residential)
7. International tariffs
8. Mobile tariff
9. International direct dial
completion rate
10. Mainlines per employee
11. Business lines per employee in
national workforce
12. Revenue per employee
13. Public telecommunications revenue
per mainline
3.3.2 Ireland’s Comparative Position in the OECD Area
In view of the importance of telecommunications to the Irish economy, it is the Irish
government’s objective to achieve a telecommunications sector which is in the top quartile
of the OECD countries by reference to standard sectoral indicators as soon as possible.
4
Such indicators include penetration, service range, price competitiveness, quality and
availability.
While this objective does not explicitly mention broadband communications, it would be
impossible to achieve the objective of being in the top quartile of OECD countries
without widespread availability of broadband telecommunications services. The challenge
for Ireland in achieving an upper-quartile position is shown below in Tables 3.1 and 3.2.
Table 3.1 Ireland’s Current Rating on Key OECD Telecommunications Indicators
Indicator Quartile 1 Quartile 2 Quartile 3 Quartile 4
Worst Best
Source: OECD Communications Outlook, 1995; Analysys, Cutting the Cost, 3rd Edition, 1996; Pearson Professional Ltd., 1996.
Achieving these
targets will require
additional investment
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 35
Table 3.2 Achieving Top Quartile Telecommunications Performance:
Comparison of Ireland with OECD metrics now and in 2001
Service Current position Current top Anticipated OECD
in Ireland quartile position top quartile in 2001
1. Telephone Penetration 37 per 100 population 60 per 100 population 65 per 100 population
2. Percentage of households 82% 100% 120% of households
with telephone
3. ISDN: Penetration in < 3 per 100 5 per 100 20 per 100 businesses
Businesses
4. ISDN: Penetration in 0 in secondary N/A 100% of secondary
Schools schools/ libraries schools/libraries - 1998
5. CATV/MMDS: 75 per 100 75 per 100 80 per 100 households
Households passed
(service available)
6. CATV/MMDS: 43 per 100 50 per 100 55 per 100 households
Households served
7. Broadband: Broadband C-Ring Policy Ongoing programmes 80 per 100 businesses
Businesses served
8. Broadband usage: < 1 per 100 N/A 15 per 100 businesses
Businesses
9. Broadband usage: 0 per 100 Trials in progress 10 per 100 households
Households
10.Internet Usage: 13 per 100 N/A 50 per 100 business
Businesses
11.Internet Usage: < 1 per 100 N/A 20 per 100 households
Households
Sources: Telecom Eireann; Yearbook of European Telecommunications, 1996; Irish Multichannel Operators Association, IMOA;
OECD Communications Outlook, 1995; Norcontel Estimates.
As can be seen in Table 3.1, Ireland is currently in the lower half of OECD countries on
a number of criteria. Table 3.2 shows the scale of advances that must be made in
telecommunications infrastructure and service usage in order to reach the highest quartile.
Ways must be found of ensuring the necessary infrastructural investment,
of ensuring more rapid deployment of new services and of increasing the levels of
telecommunications penetration.
Achieving the targets will require additional investment:
In the EU, public telecommunications investments are around 30 per cent of revenue.
In Ireland, the average is around 20 per cent, but is rising;
Total public telecommunications investment as a percentage of GDP in Ireland is now
approximately 15 per cent below the EU average.
The implications of the above are that policy decisions on the direction and reallocation
of resources are required while time allows.
On the positive side, the backbone and international transmission networks are excellent,
well developed and deploy advanced technology offering high capacity with the possibility
for massive expansion.
Telecom Eireann has already outlined a number of important initiatives such as creating
a C-Ring Broadband network around Ireland (i.e. a national broadband network) and the
concept of an ‘Information Age Town’ (i.e. every house in this town will be provided with
a phone, high-speed access to the Internet, ISDN connections and a multimedia scheme).
However, the local access network is the real infrastructure bottleneck, as it is in many
other countries. This is almost completely narrow-bandwidth copper-based with very
little high-bandwidth fibre. Solving the issues of local access, essentially the ‘last mile’ in
bringing services to the individual business and consumer, is one of the key challenges
facing the development of the Information Society in Ireland.
Many industries (software, content, etc.) and the multi-national companies are highly
dependent on telecommunications. At present, there is evidence of infrastructure gaps
arising in terms of capacity, availability of service and the price of advanced services. Such
enterprises require capacity of up to 34 Mbit/s. The maximum available in Ireland is
currently 2 Mbit/s on a single line, limiting the returns to scale for higher capacity units.
Investment in the existing infrastructure is needed to address these demands.
While the requirements of some enterprises may be met through the deployment of
enhancement technologies on the existing copper network, meeting the demands of an
increasing number of enterprises requiring high-capacity will necessitate the roll-out of
optical fibre.
It is very likely that such sectors will grow rapidly in the years ahead, putting further
pressure on the access network, as consumers demand ICT delivered content.
Scope for massive
expansion...
...but solving the ‘last
mile’ issue is one of
the key challenges
3.3.3 Competitive Liberalised Market
At present, Ireland is lagging behind other European countries in creating a competitive
liberalised telecommunications marketplace.
Currently, Telecom Eireann controls most of the telecommunications infrastructure.
Other companies, such as the ESB, CIE, Cablelink and RTE, could be allowed to offer
services. The scope for participation by these companies is, however, limited in the short
term due to lack of excess capacity and the fact that such utilities would need to enter
strategic alliances in order to provide competitive services.
Experience in other countries has shown that when alternative infrastructure provision is
allowed, substantial quantities of private capital are expended on building new
infrastructure to offer services to business customers.
Once competition in infrastructure is permitted in the Irish market in mid-1997, it is
likely that a number of organisations, both within Ireland and from overseas, will consider
entering the Irish market. Failure to have administrative and licensing procedures in place,
or difficult procedures, increases the risk that organisations will reject investment because
of the delay or the cost of complying with regulations.
A number of approaches should be investigated to identify sources of public funds for
investment in telecommunications infrastructures. If, for example, the government
decided that telecommunications infrastructure was of sufficiently high priority, possibly
EU Structural Funds could be re-directed to telecommunications. In principle, such
funding could be provided to Telecom Eireann and other organisations wishing to invest
in new infrastructure.
Putting in place appropriate administrative and licensing procedures and financial
incentives has a number of attractions:
It would stimulate Telecom Eireann to launch commercial broadband services
offered over infrastructure which is currently only being used for research and
development purposes;
It would free spare capacity on existing infrastructure owned by organisations other
than Telecom Eireann for use by business customers;
It would allow organisations to provide their own infrastructure if they so choose and
would, in some cases, make services available which would be uneconomic under the
current regulatory environment.
At present, Ireland
does not have a
liberalised market...
...necessary to
encourage private
capital investment
Administrative
and licensing
procedures are
required...
...together with
increased public
funding...
...to stimulate
new services and
infrastructure
3.4 Learning
3.4.1 Information and Communications Technologies
in Irish Education
The Department of Education’s White Paper, ‘Charting our Education Future’, 1995,
deals with the multiplicity of factors which need to be addressed to ensure that the
objective of achieving worthwhile education outcomes can be attained from the
investment in this sector. It is recognised that learning strategies based on information and
communications technologies are evolving rapidly and should be seen as supporting the
achievement of educational objectives set out in the White Paper.
The rapid evolution and development of information technologies and their application
in the field of education require that strategies be put in place to ensure their most
effective use in the education system to prepare people for the Information Society. In line
with the White Paper, the Department of Education is working on measures for increased
use of information and communications technology in first and second-level education.
With 18 per cent of Ireland’s population in the five to 14 age group (OECD average 13
per cent), a unique opportunity exists through the school system to equip young people
with the skills required for the information age.
Ireland’s relative preparedness in respect of the Information Society is highlighted by
the following:
The appropriate application of information and communications technologies is not
sufficiently integrated into curricula or curriculum programmes;
Teacher training curricula and in-service training need to reflect more substantially
the developing needs in this area;
There insufficient emphasis on life-long learning;
These requirements pose a particular challenge as the overall level of technology
deployment and use in Irish schools is low:
an estimated one machine per 100 pupils in primary school;
an estimated 65 per cent of primary schools had computers in 1994;
only 26 per cent had acquired their computers via Department of
Education funding;
an estimated three machines per 100 students in second-level school in 1995;
much of the equipment in use is unsuitable for running modern
multimedia applications;
little use is made of instructional software or computer-aided learning.
Our education system
is of key importance
in preparing for the
Information Society
Technology, of itself,
is not enough...
...full integration of
ICTs into school
curricula is important
In noting these facts it is important to recognise that technology deployment is, of course,
an instrument of education policy and objectives and not an end in itself.
3.4.2 Skills
A growing demand exists for software, languages and electronic skills and for multi-disciplinary
skills. Many of the jobs in these industries could be filled by second-level
leavers with the relevant technical and language training.
A study in 1996, undertaken for the development agencies, projected that the supply of
computer studies graduates would probably fall short of future demand, unless immediate
provision was made to increase output. This is in spite of the additional investment in
the last few years. This situation was also identified in the business awareness survey
referred to above.
Completion rates at second-level in Ireland are now high by international standards.
However, despite the high completion rates, the late development of universal second-level
education in Ireland has the result that only 45 per cent of Ireland’s population
between the ages of 25 and 64 have completed second-level education (OECD average
59 per cent). Those without a firm education foundation and developed learning skills
could find the advent of the Information Society particularly challenging. Addressing the
learning and skill development issues of all age groups is critical to Ireland capturing the
opportunities and benefits of the Information Society.
The expenditure of Irish enterprises on training at 1.2 per cent of sales
5
is below
international best practice of three per cent of sales. This level of expenditure on training
does not represent a good base for developing Irish businesses into learning enterprises.
The training and development agencies must continue to encourage a higher level of
expenditure on training by businesses in Ireland.
Ensuring the
appropriate mix
of skills is crucial
‘Learning’ enterprises
should be encouraged
3.5 Enterprise
3.5.1 Opportunity Growth Sectors
Enormous potential is offered for employment creation, regional development and for
increasing both labour and total productivity by the widespread diffusion of information
and communications technologies in the enterprise sector.
Information and communications technologies are creating significant new opportunities
for the enterprise sector by:
Extending market reach;
Providing new means of distribution and serving markets;
Providing new means of marketing products and services;
Creating new products and services (as shown in Table 5.2, page 78).
In this regard, Ireland has emerged as the undisputed European leader in sectors such as
telemarketing and call centres. In just two years about 40 call centres have been
established in Ireland.
Ireland’s success in this area has been due to:
Competitive bulk international telecommunications tariffs;
The high standard of education, computer literacy and language capabilities;
Low taxes on profit (a critical factor).
As noted earlier, the full availability of advanced communications services in Ireland could
lead to the creation of 48,000 jobs over the period to 2005.
6
In respect of indigenous industry, it is recognised that these developments will not be
sustained without a fundamental change in our enterprise culture. The indigenous
enterprise culture in these sectors should be fostered and promoted more strongly, looking
for ways to be innovative in expanding these services into higher value-added areas.
New opportunities for
the enterprise sector...
...as our success in
new
telecommunications
services shows...
3 P r e p a r i n g f o r t h e I n f o r m a t i o n S o c i e t y
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 40
6 ‘Employment Effects of Telecommunications
Liberalisation in Europe’ BIPE, 1996, applied
to Ireland.
The Information Society will impact directly on how the enterprise sector conducts its
business, on the location decisions of firms and on the efficiency, productivity and
competitiveness of the sector.
In this regard:
Continued growth in foreign direct investment will be underpinned by:
advances in the new generations of technologies;
increased proliferation of products using and applying the new technologies;
the availability of competitively priced broadband communications;
Smaller companies wishing to compete globally must focus on establishing and
operating alliances, and on creating organisations with global reach;
Irish enterprises and manufacturers will increasingly be required to have
communications and technological supply systems that are compatible with their
global customers and partners in their industry.
...but fundamental
changes in how
enterprises do their
business are required
3.5.2 The Content Sector
One growth sector deserving particular attention is that of the content industry. The value
to Ireland of this industry - in terms of employment and output - is significant. Already
over 30,000 people are employed in the content industry (film, music, radio, publishing
and advertising), producing output worth more than ?1 billion annually. This value can
be increased several-fold.
The content industry in the Information Society involves the creation of products and
services that aggregate music, audio-visual and information/data services, drawing on
Ireland’s culture and heritage, using digital delivery technology and skills.
Significant opportunities will arise for adding value in such areas as localisation and
adaptation of such new digital products and services as, in general, content is most
attractive when it is local. (Recent examples of this are the success of Riverdance and the
film Michael Collins.)
Ireland’s youthful, educated, English-speaking population is a crucial advantage in a
global industry in which youth and the English language are the characteristics of the
main suppliers. Furthermore, Ireland has internationally recognised abilities in the
conception, creation and generation stages of content production. This is especially true
in music and literature, and increasingly in film/video.
However, Irish content providers and creators have only limited experience in exploiting
new channels such as the Internet and multimedia.
3.6 Government
"A regulatory framework that enables and stimulates everyone to reap the full economic
and social benefits of the Information Society is an important priority. The essence of the
task is to strike a balance which encourages market forces to lead the way, but which also
recognises that they cannot do the job alone."
7
Government plays a number of key roles in shaping the environment in which progress
towards the Information Society can be realised. Its role in telecommunications
infrastructure and education is covered in sections 3.3 and 3.4.
Further roles include:
The delivery of citizen-centred services to the general public;
Supporting change through:
effective regulation of the telecommunications sector;
legislation relevant to the application of ICTs (e.g. intellectual property rights);
Fostering an inclusive society.
New opportunities
in the area of
multimedia products
A key role in shaping
the environment
7 ‘Networks for People and their Communities’.
First Annual Report to the European Commission
from the Information Society Forum. (June 1996)
3.6.1 Citizen-Centred Services
Progress is being made in using information technology to enhance the public services.
The challenge for government is to deliver more with less, as people increasingly demand
better services but, as taxpayers, are unwilling to pay more. Information and
communications technologies provide a means for government to provide better quality
services in a cost-effective manner.
Government has direct responsibility for the development of such services. Considerable
potential exists to extend ICT-based services outwards to external interfaces
with the general public, providing more responsive, more effective services at national
and local levels.
3.6.2 Supporting Change
For the period of Ireland’s derogation on deregulation of the telecommunications market
to the year 2000, there is a key role for government to:
Ensure fair and competitive practices in the telecommunications market;
Ensure the progress of other areas of liberalisation;
Ensure the optimum use of existing infrastructures and broadcast spectra;
Manage the transition to full competition.
A legal framework which provides certainty, predictability and security is critical to
developing an Information Society. This will ensure that adequate protection is provided
to copyright holders and providers or consumers of electronic services from Ireland.
Legislation in respect of the following areas needs to take account of the implications of
the information age:
The protection of intellectual property rights;
The effective prevention, detection and prosecution of electronic crime;
Controlling offensive material;
Freedom of information;
Taxation, in particular value-added taxes;
Support for changing work practices.
Public services can be
enhanced through the
use of new
technologies
Government must
provide supportive
management of
the transition to
deregulation of the
telecommunications
market...
...and a legal
framework to support
the Information
Society
3.6.3 Inclusive Society
Government currently provides services and financial assistance to a number of
disadvantaged groups in Ireland such as the long-term unemployed and disabled. Some of
these groups will have new opportunities for inclusion in the Information Society,
through the use of ICTs.
Providing access to the technologies and information networks to those groups currently
disadvantaged, as identified in the general public survey, will be central to the creation
of a more inclusive society and government has a key role to play in providing the
necessary access.
Finally, the governments of all countries engaged with the challenge of securing their place
in the global Information Society have played a key leadership role in:
Encouraging the debate about the emerging society;
Co-ordinating the activities of the key players;
Monitoring progress.
The White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation and the approach that it takes
towards a national innovation strategy are examples of how government can take the
initiative in the context of an issue of strategic national importance. A similar initiative
must be taken by government to lead Ireland into the Information Society.
3.7 Strengths and Weaknesses
In summary, the following emerge as Ireland’s strengths and weaknesses relative to the
challenge of securing the full benefits of the Information Society.
3.7.1 Strengths
Ireland’s success to date in attracting industries at the heart of the emerging
Information Society, including micro-processor manufacturers and software
developers.
The clusters of information intensive industries in Ireland have the potential to
support a growing network of indigenous suppliers who benefit and will continue to
benefit through exposure to world class technologies and practices.
The success of the call centre sector illustrates Ireland’s attractiveness for information
services and the potential for further development.
The indigenous software sector has considerable potential for growth as Irish firms
establish world class competencies in a rapidly growing sector.
The unemployed and
disabled can feel
included in the
Information Society
The foundations are
laid for the
establishment and
growth of industries at
the heart of the
Information Society
Ireland’s share of global trade accounted for by information intensive industries is not
only high by comparison with older industries but is also rising.
Ireland’s creative flair and success as a cultural centre will create major opportunities
for participating in the emerging content industries.
Ireland has a fibre telecommunications backbone infrastructure and low international
tariffs. However, our advantage is diminishing as other countries invest heavily in
upgrading their trunk and local access networks.
The pervasive practice of ISO and related quality management systems among Irish
firms indicates a strong commitment to achieving international standards which will
in turn support the creation of alliances and partnerships facilitated by information
and communications technologies.
The Irish culture places a high value on education. This suggests a likely openness to
new ideas in the whole area of learning and a willingness to move towards a future of
lifelong learning.
Proactive involvement of regional bodies in EU Telematics and Information
Society programmes.
In general, Irish people are open to the potential applications of the new technologies,
suggesting a positive environment for the widespread use of ICTs in households.
A young, well educated and English-speaking population is a key strength given the
recognition that it is people using information and communications technologies, and
not the technologies themselves, that provide the means by which the full benefits of
the Information Society will be realised.
3.7.2 Weaknesses
Low levels of awareness of the technologies and benefits associated with the
Information Society among the general public and the enterprise sector.
Lack of competitively priced high-bandwidth telecommunications services for the
enterprise sector.
Non-availability of broadband to the home, denying access to potential broadband
services at competitive rates.
The degree of integration of information and communications technologies in
teaching practice and content is low. Consequently, the deployment of such
technologies in schools is also low.
Emerging skills shortages in information and communications technologies, and
languages.
Creative flair and
cultural heritage
enhance our
potential...
...as do our
commitment to
education and
best practice
A young, highly
educated and English-speaking
population
is a key strength
Low awareness and
access is a major
disadvantage
Schools are not
prepared for the
Information Society
Investment in training and innovation by Irish firms remains low by comparison with
other EU countries.
Low take-up of information and communications technologies among small firms
in Ireland.
Absence of a strong, independent telecommunications regulator, although this role is
now under development.
Under-developed enterprise culture in Ireland.
The legal framework in a number of areas has not been updated for the
information age.
3.8 International Ranking
The 1996 IDC
8
-World Times Information Imperative Index gives an indication of the
task that lies ahead for Ireland in preparing for the information society. The Index ranks
Ireland twenty-third, or in a third league of countries in terms of our preparedness for the
information age. The survey identifies key social and information infrastructure elements
as well as leading edge investment in computer technology that are critical to success in
the information age. Table 3.3 shows the results of the survey.
Table 3.3 1996 IDC-World Times Information Imperative Index
Low take-up
of ICTs by SMEs
Ireland is at present
in the third league
3 P r e p a r i n g f o r t h e I n f o r m a t i o n S o c i e t y
Information Society Ireland Strategy for Action 46
1. US
2. Sweden
3. Denmark
4. Norway
5. Finland
6. Australia
7. Canada
8. Switzerland
9. New Zealand
10. UK
11. Netherlands
12. Germany
13. Japan
14. Hong Kong
15. Austria
16. Singapore
17. Belgium
18. France
19. Israel
20. Italy
21. Taiwan
22. Korea
23. Ireland
24. Spain
25. UAE
26. Czech Rep
Group I Group II Group III
8 IDC - International Data Corporation
Reprinted by permission of IDC
4.1 The Key Pillars for Developing an Information Society
The overall objective of this strategy is to ensure that Ireland secures the maximum
benefits of the Information Society for all its people. These benefits will include improved
com