The position of minister of state with specific responsibility for e-commerce should be created, according to Fine Gael.
Mr Charles Flanagan, Fine Gael spokesman for enterprise, trade and employment said that following the appointment of the new board of the Information Society Commission, a ministerial position would boost confidence in the IT sector.
"If Ireland wants to participate and prosper in today’s global economy, we will first have to bridge the ‘digital divide’, whereby information and communication technology is accessible and available to all segments of the population," he said.
The Commission’s remit is to contribute to the formulation of Government policy in relation to the development of an information-driven society.
It will also seek to foster co-operation with other jurisdictions, including the creation of links with the Northern Ireland Information Age Initiative.
The Government was criticised for the 11-month delay in making the appointment when it made the announcement last Tuesday. IBEC said the delay was indicative of "extreme Government complacency on the issue and leaves the new Commission facing a significant challenge".
"The Government appears to have lost its focus and leadership in the whole area of e-business and e-commerce, which it has trumpeted so loudly in the past. It has sent out worrying signals to the IT industry by failing to make these important appointments for the past 11 months," Mr Flanagan said.