Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Does the Taoiseach agree that we should set a target date — I suggest 1 January 2011 — when e-services should be available on-line both to customers and businesses and ensure that target date is implemented? For the convenience of the customer, there could be on-line payment of court fines, student grants, passport applications, an e-register, on-line social welfare schemes and so on. Some of these happen reasonably well but there does not seem to be an overall plan which states what will be available at the end of three years with regard to on-line services for business only and on-line services for customers only. Will the Taoiseach comment? Does he agree we should set a target date and agree, when laying down the instruction and the direction, that by a certain date e-government should apply in the following range for customers and for business?

I do not suppose the Taoiseach has had a requirement in recent years to pick up the State telephone directory and make telephone calls because he has had staff to do this for him. If he did so, he would find there are 70 pages of the directory dealing with Government Departments and State agencies. It is virtually impossible for somebody who does not use the telephone directory frequently to find the compass to access the number of the agency or organisation they seek. I have often tried it myself. One needs to think hard about where the organisation will be in the green pages. This kind of issue requires clearer labelling or greater definition so people can conduct their business instead of wasting time flicking through pages in the attempt to find a certain regional board, agency or organisation. It is an area somebody could usefully spend time sorting out. The Taoiseach could tell me if he has used a directory in the recent past.

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