ICT IRELAND
GOVERNING BOARD MEETING MINUTES
9th March 2010
Attendance: Paul O’Riordan, Oracle, Chair and other members as recorded.
Apologies: As recorded.
Action Points:
ICT Ireland and the ISA will send on policy papers to Deputy Bruton outlining specific
issues affecting the competitiveness of the ICT sector.
ICT Ireland will circulate a copy of the Horizon 2020 strategy to the Governing Council.
ICT Ireland will follow up with updates on items which were not discussed at meeting as
a result of time constraints.
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1. Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting on the 25th November were approved.
2. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
3. Overview of economic policies and views on Ireland’s recovery
The Chair welcomed Richard Bruton, TD, Deputy Leader, Fine Gael to the meeting. Deputy
Bruton outlined the following key Fine Gael policies and views:
These included the following:
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Public Service Transformation
Creating Jobs
Fixing the Health Service
Fostering innovation and restoring competitiveness
Discussing public sector reform, Deputy Bruton highlighted the need for a high performance
public service. Fine Gael’s action plan for transformation incude:
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Consolidation: consolidating administrative functions which are replicated in more
than one body and which could be done much more effectively from one centre
delivering shared services. This may encompass shutting down non- performing
programmes and reintegrating people to the areas of greatest need.
Devolved power: Deputy Bruton referred to New Zealand’s devolved government
and how it has been extremely effective from an innovation and change point of view.
Deputy Bruton believes that change cannot be expected if local managers have to
refer every decision back up the line for sanction.
Accountability: Deputy Bruton discussed the need to match devolution of power with
the reassertion of accountability. He said that bonuses will not be a standard
entitlement as under the current regime. Also, a consistent failure to deliver will not be
tolerated and managers failing to perform will be held accountable.
Reporting: Fine Gael will commit that every agency that spends public money will be
open and timely in reporting its performance
Speaking about the unemployment situation in Ireland, Deputy Bruton discussed Fine Gael’s
plan to create jobs and protect existing jobs, especially in the small and medium enterprises
throughout the country. Some of the measures which Fine Gael would introduce to support
business would be the reduction of energy costs and local authority charge and making it
easier for SMEs to win public tenders.
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In relation to health care, Deputy Bruton outlined how Fine Gael would model the health care
system on the Dutch health care model. This model is based on rewarding performance from
doctors and hospitals and ensuring that a two tier health system does not exist. Fine Gael
would also deliver Universal Health Insurance where everyone has private health insurance,
either subsidised or fully finance by the state.
Following on from Deputy Bruton’s summary, members of the ICT Ireland Governing Board
raised the following issues for consideration:
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ICT Ireland’s deep frustration at how Ireland has positioned itself as a Smart Economy
when in reality there is very poor utilisation of technology across the public service.
ICT Ireland members, through their expertise are willing to assist and support the
reformation of the public sector and would welcome the opportunity to offer its
expertise in this area.
ICT start-up companies need to be strongly supported in the area of funding; in
particular the extension of the BES scheme should be prioritised.
Skills crisis- this has been a perennial problem which needs to be addressed urgently.
This includes tackling issues affecting the quality of graduates, namely grade inflation,
quality of teachers and low uptake of higher level maths. ICT Ireland also urged
Deputy Bruton to support the ICT in the Classroom strategy.
Public Procurement Process – the process must ensure that it is easier for indigenous
companies to win public tenders.
ICT Ireland will send on policy papers to Deputy Bruton to inform Fine Gael of the specific
issues affecting the competitiveness of the ICT sector in Ireland.
4. Presentation on the IDA’s recently launched strategy, Horizon 2020.
The Chair welcomed Brendan McDonagh and Dermot Clohessy from the IDA to the
meeting. Dermot and Brendan outlined the key goals from the IDA’s recently launched
strategy, Horizon 2020. The strategy outlines a road map of what is needed to foster
Ireland’s future success with leading global corporations over the next number of years.
Significantly, it also outlines a series of short term goals, including an ambitious target for
job creation.
The following investment targets 2010-2014 are included in the report:
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105,000 new jobs
640 investments
50% of investments will be located outside Dublin and Cork
20% of Greenfield investments originating from high-growth emerging markets by
2014
Annual spend in excess of €1.7bn in research , development and innovation by
2014
The foundation for the strategy outlined within ‘Horizon 2020’ includes a series of new
initiatives called the ‘Ten Steps of Transformation’ which are outlined in some detail in the
publication.
These new initiatives called the ‘Ten Steps of Transformation’ are as follows:
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Drive company transformation
Win employment-intensive Services investments
Win new forms of foreign investments
Support regional economic development
Increase investment from new emerging high growth markets
Target new emerging and small technology companies
Enhance Ireland’s brand and reputation overseas
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8. Embrace ‘Open Innovation’ philosophy
9. Strengthen Ireland’s value proposition
10. Increase collaboration within Team Ireland
The ‘Horizon 2020’ strategy concludes with a series of six Team Ireland policy enablers
necessary to enhance Ireland’s world-class environment to continue to attract overseas
investment in the future:
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Improve Ireland’s competitiveness to ensure that our work practices and cost base
make us a highly attractive location for a variety of employment-intensive projects
with multinational companies.
Ensure Ireland’s tax regime remains compelling when compared to those in other
locations.
Ensure that we quickly enhance our broadband infrastructure and deploy Next
Generation Networks that enable the most advanced uses of cloud computing
technology – all across Ireland.
Ensure that Ireland’s energy infrastructure delivers world-class networks and energy
at a competitive price.
Continually enhance our education system and training programmes to ensure we
have a workforce with relevant skills and that supports advanced RD&I activities.
Ensure that the regulatory environment of Ireland is fit for purpose. Regulation must
be strong, credible and flexible to adapt to changing conditions to maximise the
opportunities for job creation, innovation and the emergence of new sectors.
5. Update on ICT Ireland Working Group activities
Due to time constraints, this item will be discussed at the next Governing Council Meeting.
6. ICT Ireland Clearing House Meetings with DETE
Due to time constraints, this item will be addressed via the fortnightly ICT Ireland update
email.
7. Updates on ICT Ireland Activities
Due to time constraints, this item will be addressed via the fortnightly ICT Ireland update
email.
8. AOB
There being no further business, the meeting was concluded. The date of the next meeting
is Wednesday, 19th May at 10 o’clock.
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