The Government should appoint a Minister with responsibility for e-business, IBEC's information and communications technology lobby said yesterday.
Its chairman, Mr Brendan Butler, said: "It still remains unclear if any particular Minister in the new Cabinet will have specific responsibility for e-business and the strategic development of the ICT sector."
Mr Butler's statement followed the decision of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to allocate responsibility for the technology area to the Government chief whip, Ms Mary Hanifan.
Mr Butler said: "If we are serious, as has been stated by the last government, that Ireland should become a world leader in e-business, proactive measures are required by the new Government, including the appointment of one Minister with overall responsibility for e-business and for strategic development of the informations and communications technology sector in order to secure our status as a centre of excellence."
He added: "Failing this, it is imperative that a Minister of State with this responsibility be appointed as a matter of priority.
"The role of such a Minister will have one single focus - to lead and promote the overall development of e-business, putting overall cross-sectoral programmes in place."
