John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation when the Cloud Computing Implementation Group held its most recent meeting; when he expects to receive proposals from the group for his consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36018/11]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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On 30 June, the Minister, Deputy Bruton, announced the establishment of a cross-Government implementation group on cloud computing. This group, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, comprises representatives of Departments and agencies responsible for all aspects of cloud computing policy, IT procurement, security, infrastructure and enterprise policy. The group last met on 28 September. In addition, the group's work was complemented by a parallel process of engagement which resulted in 23 meetings with representative bodies and individual companies being facilitated by my Department.

In conducting its work, the group examined the opportunities and challenges presented by cloud computing for business and government from the following perspectives: (i) the cloud as a source for exports, growth and jobs; (ii) the adequacy of key infrastructures; (iii) the regulatory environment; (iv) the opportunities and benefits for indigenous enterprises; (v) the opportunities for attracting foreign direct investment; and (vi) Government as a leader and user of the cloud.

The Secretary General of the Department, upon his recent retirement, submitted a draft interim report to the Minister. This report is currently being reviewed by the group and it is intended that the group will meet shortly for the purpose of agreeing the content of the report and an action plan to implement its recommendations. The group's final report is expected before the end of this year.

Ireland is extremely well placed to take advantage of the rapidly growing international potential of cloud computing. A recent report commissioned by Microsoft has estimated that, by 2014, the cloud computing industry in Ireland could be worth €9.5 billion and employ between 8,500 and 9,000 people. Now, more than ever, we must do everything we can to seize opportunities like this. These jobs will be created automatically, and the Government must act decisively and urgently if we are to position Ireland as a world leader in this high-growth sector. The commitment in the programme for Government on cloud computing sets out the Government's intentions in this important area of the ICT industry.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the establishment of the technology centre and the implementation group. In the programme for Government, it is stated that the Government will make Ireland the leader in the emerging IT market of cloud computing by promoting its greater use in the public sector. How can that be done when it is fairly widely known that a significant section of the public sector, including those involved in formulating purchasing policy for the Government and public bodies, are opposed in principle to adopting cloud computing solutions?

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Our job is to engage with the centre for management and organisation development, CMOD. The Government acknowledges the possibilities of this. One could say work is ongoing on making the ICT infrastructure more user friendly. There will be challenges, potentially in regard to industrial relations peace, but I believe strongly that through proper engagement with all the stakeholders across government and by taking a more horizontal approach as opposed to the more siloed approach we are used to, we can achieve something and become global leaders in adopting early new technologies such as that associated with cloud computing.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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It would be ironic if cloud computing were at the centre of our innovation policy while the Government could not buy cloud computing services. There seems to be a particular problem with CMOD, which is now part of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I did not quite get the last point.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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There seems to be a particular problem among certain people in the centre for management and organisational development, which used to be part of the Department of Finance but is now in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I am not aware of such problems. I say that openly and honestly. Research is ongoing and the centre is in the process of developing a cloud computing strategy for the public service, which it intends to bring to the Government for consideration and approval in the first quarter of 2012. If a specific issue arises, I would love to hear the Deputy's thoughts.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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I would be happy to share them.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Cloud computing is based on the power of the networks in this State. Ireland is 79th in the world, or 24th out of the EU, for upload speeds and we are 49th in the world, or 23rd in the EU, for download speeds. It is estimated that an investment of €2.5 billion will be needed to bring our broadband services to the top of the table. Without this level of investment, the Minister of State's talk is merely hocus pocus. How much will the Government be investing in broadband services to make this reality rather than spin?

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I fundamentally disagree with the Deputy. If he is willing to show me the source of the statistics he cited, I will revert to him on the matter.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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They are from the IrelandOffline Quarterly Report.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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EMC, the Irish Internet Association, Facebook, IBM, Microsoft, Fujitsu, Dell and A&L Goodbody are all engaged in this process. It is a worthwhile process because if we can become global leaders by dint of being early adopters we will have a competitive advantage. I recognise that problems arise in broadband provision but the capacity is present in terms of cloud. If the Deputy engages further with the Department, we can send him some facts on the issue.