[Bureau] Irish participation!

[Sean O Siochru]

Hi,

I sent this out last week on Cris-info so apologies to some for cross 
positing.  It covers the Irish efforts at WSIS consultation so far.


There was a WSIS consultation in Ireland, with invited participants (about 
50).  It was addressed by the Minister for the Information Society (we have 
one!!) along with the top officials in Depts of Communications and the 
Taoiseach (Prime Minister), head of the business association, the Irish ICT 
D Task Force , Jean-Francois Soupizet of the IS in the EU, a few others and 
myself to represent civil society (I quickly disavowed that!).  No trade 
union, academic or other representative though they are very poorly 
informed, anyhow)

It displayed the low level of understanding overall in Ireland about the 
WSIS, and there were no clear government positions put forward.  Comments 
from the audience were wide ranging, including on concentration of media 
ownership by an IFJ rep.,  and IPRs (OK, maybe picking up on my speech).

Overall, I think the Irish government will work closely with the EU 
position and perhaps seek a few nuances of its own.  A position is 
currently in preparation.  Ireland is also potentially sympathetic to the 
civil society position.  Through the Secretary General of the Department of 
Communications (Brendan Tuohy) and his top aids, the Irish delegation is 
well informed on the international debates on ICTs for development, as well 
as on more general communication issues.

Presentation should soon be available on a Website.

Sean


-------------- next part --------------

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.467 / Virus Database: 266 - Release Date: 01/04/2003