Tech leaders call for e-minister

The Government should not waver on major investments in broadband infrastructure and needs a wholly dedicated e-minister, according to a group of the State's leading technology figures.

But the development of 3G telecommunications networks is "nothing but a disaster", having drained cash from the entire telecommunications sector, said entrepreneur Mr Denis O'Brien.

The State is also failing to make adequate investments to secure its economic future, according to Mr Barry Morris, chief executive of Iona Technologies. The two men joined Mr John Pierce, chief executive, Fujitsu Ireland, and Dr Rudy Burger, director of Dublin's Media Lab Europe, on a panel at last night's meeting of technology entrepreneurial group First Tuesday in Dublin.

All called on the Government to appoint a minister whose sole responsibility was the development of the State's information society infrastructure.

Mr O'Brien said such a "minister for the future" was essential to coordinate policy and projects.

"If you go to Korea you can be damn sure they have someone with that portfolio. You need a person to take risky decisions and put money into big initiatives," he said.

Although Ms Mary Hanafin has been appointed Minister of State with responsibility for the information society, Mr Morris said the Government had "diluted" the position by also giving her a second junior ministry and the role of Government whip.

Mr O'Brien was particularly critical of the State's educational system, which, he said, needed a radical overhaul.

"Science is a basket case" with dropping numbers of students, while "the \ business schools are really undergraduate business schools disguised as something else." he added.

Dr Burger said he thought "a huge opportunity for Ireland" lay in biotechnology. But he also noted that "first and foremost, we must look at leveraging areas of existing strength and expertise" such as the pharmaceutical and medical devices areas.

The State needed to focus more on developing its indigenous technology industry, said Mr Pierce. Government also needs to make sure the State remains an attractive place to live, or employees from abroad as well as Irish people would go elsewhere for work.