Latest news with #NationalDigitalStrategy
RTÉ News
26-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Tánaiste to seek approval for bill to prohibit trade with Occupied Palestinian Territories
Tánaiste Simon Harris will ask the Cabinet to give the green light to draft a bill to prohibit the importation of goods from illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It will then go before an Oireachtas Committee next month for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Minister for Foreign Affairs will say that Israel's humanitarian blockade and renewed bombardment of Gaza have resulted in a situation of unprecedented gravity. While Ireland does minimal trade with the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he will tell colleagues that the Government has been resolute in its determination to use every lever available to end the war in the Middle East. Mr Harris believes there is now growing support at EU level on issues where Ireland demonstrated early leadership with a small group of partners, including on the review of Israel's compliance with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. He will also ask ministers to approve the participation of the Defence Forces in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a further period of 12 months. Ireland's participation in UNIFIL represents the State's largest overseas deployment, with 345 Defence Forces personnel currently serving as part of a joint Irish-Polish Battalion in Southern Lebanon. Separately in the area of trade, the Tánaiste will inform the Government that the EU has shared with the US its ideas for an "EU-US Agreement on Reciprocal Mutually Beneficial Trade". This proposal includes options aimed at reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, promoting economic security, as well as facilitating strategic purchases, business opportunities and investment. He will say that a far-reaching negotiated agreement that protects consumers, businesses and the economies on both sides of the Atlantic is the best outcome and that there is now no time to lose to achieve this. However, given the ongoing volatility in the global trading environment, the Tánaiste will also ask Cabinet to approve the drafting of the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025, which will allow for the ratification of the EU-Canada trade deal, known as CETA. Taoiseach to update Cabinet on National Digital Strategy Meanwhile, the Taoiseach will update colleagues on the latest progress on developing a new National Digital Strategy this year. The updated Strategy will prioritise investment to make Ireland an EU centre of expertise for digital and data regulation. It will also aim to identify the potential benefits of AI to better deliver public services. Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler will seek approval to amend the Mental Health Bill. Ms Butler and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will propose over 200 amendments at Committee Stage to progress the Bill in the coming weeks. The purpose of the bill is to improve the experience of people who are involuntarily admitted to an acute mental health setting.
Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Government to appoint seven external experts to new disability service unit
Seven external experts are set to be appointed to a new Government unit to improve disability services across the State. The new disability unit, to be housed within the Department of the Taoiseach, is expected to be formally established in the weeks ahead. 'The Taoiseach wants a step change in the scale of support for people with disabilities and their families,' a senior Government source said. The disability unit will bring relevant departments are together to troubleshoot issues and highlight key issues and work together to improve government's response so that real change will be made and programme for government commitments are delivered. They added that, in bringing together key departments such as health, children, education, and social protection, it would ensure there is 'nowhere to hide and that these matters are dealt with in a meaningful way'. It is understood that seven individuals, with expertise in multiple areas relating to disabilities, will be seconded to work with civil servants assigned to the disability unit. The unit itself will be modelled off the existing Child Poverty Unit in the Taoiseach's department, with a framework currently being drawn up. On Tuesday, the Cabinet is expected to receive updates on the development of a new National Digital Strategy. The new strategy will particularly focus on artificial intelligence (AI). It is likely to include increasing the use of generative AI tools across Government departments, as part of a drive to increase productivity. A Government source said the strategy will provide some short-term plans, as well as a 'longer-term strategic vision to position Ireland for continued growth and investment'. Additionally, Tánaiste Simon Harris is set to seek approval to draft amendments to legislation to allow for the Government to ratify the EU-Canada trade deal, or Ceta. The deal was previously blocked by the Supreme Court, with it ruling the deal was unconstitutional unless the Arbitration Act 2010 was amended. The Government has put Ceta back on the table for ratification as part of its push for diversification, amid the threat of tariffs from the US. Ceta has been in force provisionally for a number of years, with Ireland seeing an increased level of trade with Canada in recent years. Trade with Canada in 2016 was valued at €3.2bn, but rose to over €10bn in 2023.
United News of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Bhutan to train 400,000 citizens in digital skills by 2029
Thimphu, May 6 (UNI) Bhutan will roll out an ambitious digital literacy initiative this fiscal year to equip more than 400,000 Bhutanese with essential digital skills and the ability to safely navigate online services by 2029. According a report by KUENSEL, the programme will deliver targeted training in key sectors and offer globally recognised certifications. GovTech Agency, which is spearheading the initiative, said that in addition to in-person training, new online learning platforms are in development to ensure nationwide access to digital skilling resources. This goal is a key target of the himalayan nation's digital society pillar, one of the three main pillars of the National Digital Strategy (NDS) 2024. The other two pillars are digital economy and digital governance with a total budget of Nu 10 billion. GovTech officials said the programme will deliver hands-on instruction via a structured curriculum taught at designated training institutes. Citizens will also have access to a suite of online courses covering topics such as e-services, cybersecurity, and emerging technology trends, part of a broader public education campaign. A signature feature of the strategy is the development of a "Phendey Scoring" platform, designed to promote volunteerism, social connectedness, and civic engagement. The platform will assign participants a numerical "Phendey score", reflecting their contributions to community service and good causes. UNI NST SSP
