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Minister Howlin addresses Paris conference

From Open Data to Open Government

24 April 2014

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin TD, spoke at the conference From Open Data to Open Government hosted by the French Government in Paris today.

In his address, the Minister highlighted the critical need to ensure that the development of Open Data – making official data much more accessible to both citizens and businesses - fully realises its potential in underpinning the achievement of Open Government objectives. Echoing other speakers he also stressed the ‘economic dividend’ from Open Data.

The Minister drew attention to his proposals for the development of Open Data in Ireland and their close alignment to the aims and goals of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) www.ogpireland.ie which Ireland intends to achieve full membership of later this year following completion - in collaboration with civil society representatives - of its first OGP National Action Plan stating:

“The development of Open Data is core to Ireland’s draft Action Plan and Open Government objectives in Ireland overall”.

The Minister also said that OGP European conference he will be hosting in Dublin on 8 / 9th May would provide an excellent opportunity to build on some of the key discussions and outcomes from the Paris conference.

The Minister – reflecting on the breakdown in trust between government and citizens across Europe – evidenced in opinion polls and at the ballot box – referenced Ireland’s experience:

“My strong assessment is that an ambitious programme of political and democratic reform is a prerequisite to the sustainability of Ireland’s recovery. The Government therefore, committed to putting in place an ambitious suite of reforms that would promote a transparent, efficient and effective public system and restore public trust and confidence”