New website to improve access to Government services to business

"Significant new departure in Government-Industry relationships" – Tánaiste

"Project underlines commitment to delivery of eGovernment" – Harney

Tánaiste & Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney today (29^th November 2001) launched a new website intended to make it easier for business to deal with Government departments and agencies. Described by the Tánaiste as a significant new departure in the relationship between Government and industry, the aim of www.basis.ie/ is to deliver information and services to business in a focussed and user-friendly way.

The Tánaiste said, “This Government is very conscious of the need to streamline and reduce the costs associated with running a business. The BASIS project represents recognition by Government, and by my Department, of its responsibility to provide industry with access to information and services in an efficient, accessible and cost effective manner”.

The Tánaiste continued “The development of the BASIS website has been no small undertaking. Within the public sector, there is a wide range of Departments and agencies involved in providing services to the business sector. The site was developed by the staff in my Department, assisted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Vistech – an Irish software development company based in Cork. The project is funded by the Information Society Fund and is an example of the Government's commitment to the delivery of eGovernment to the business community.”

The Tánaiste recognised the input and involvement of the business community in the development of this project and extended her thanks to IBEC, ISME, SFA, Chambers of Commerce, County Enterprise Boards and also the individual companies who made their resources available to the project team.

The Tánaiste said “At a time when it is more important than ever that all possible steps are taken to ensure our economy remains competitive, business needs to be aware that this new initiative puts Ireland to the forefront among other European countries when it comes to the electronic delivery of Government services. Ireland, in common with other EU Member States, is keen to accelerate the development of all aspects of the Information Society throughout Europe. In a recent exercise to measure the roll-out of eGovernment services, Ireland was well placed among the top Member States in respect of the delivery of eGovernment. The BASIS project was a clear factor in this regard”.

"Furthermore, I am pleased to note that the recently published study “The Unexpected eEurope”, which examined the development eCommerce in Europe, found that the Irish Government could take some measure of pride in that 65% of executives believe that we have set a standard for the delivery of eCommerce. This is the most positive response in all of the 25 nations surveyed,” the Tánaiste said

The main features of the new BASIS (Business Access to State Information and Services) web site are:

• Public sector information delivered in a customer focussed manner
• A business focussed news feed
• A search facility to find your local government services such as Tax, Fás and Enterprise Ireland offices
• Easy access to Government online services such as the Revenue Online Service and the Public Procurement Portal
• A download bank for the most commonly used application forms
• Links and contact details relevant to the subject on each page; and pointers to related subjects

The project is a cross-departmental eGovernment initiative and is one of the measures outlined in the Government Action Plan “Implementing the Information Society in Ireland”. It is managed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment.

The site is now available at www.basis.ie