This is a flagship on which Ireland can launch itself into the information age. The project should be seen in the context of what in recent years has been adopted as a national aim to carve out for Ireland the leadership position in the new world of e-commerce. It is an aim worth pursuing and achievable. In recent times there has been an ominous weakening of the Government's resolve in this matter. By comparison with the situation five years ago, a great deal of energy has gone out of the Government's approach to the information age. Having been an early champion of the possibilities that e-commerce could bring to the country, I was delighted when it was given priority in Fianna Fáil's 1997 general election manifesto. I was even more pleased when the then Minister for Public Enterprise, who has now moved to higher things as Leader of this House, brought great energy to the task of putting her party's general election promises into effect.