Anglo Irish links on technology in schools considered

THE possibilities for Irish British cooperation on the use of information technology in education are being investigated by the two governments.

This was confirmed by the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, last night when the membership of the new Information Society Commission was announced.

Mr Bruton said he had raised the possibilities for cooperation on information technology with the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, last Thursday. Mr Blair responded positively, he said, and steps were in train to take these issues forward in the context of eastwest cooperation.

The Government believed there were opportunities for savings on educational hardware and software investments and for cooperation on particular courses and subjects, Mr Bruton said.

Ms Vivienne Jupp, of Andersen Consulting, is to chair the Information Society Commission.

Other members are Ms Paula Carey, ICTU; Dr Dermot McCarthy, exofficio assistant secretary, Department of the Taoiseach; Dr Eamonn G. Hall, chief legal officer, Telecom Eireann; Ms Barbara Patton, marketing manager, Irish Mr Bruton: spoke to Mr Blair about technology cooperation.

Permanent plc; Mr Seamus O'Canainn, Blackrock Education Centre; Mr Eugene Murray, RTE; Ms Selina Bonnie, Centre for Independent Living; Mr Sean Corkery, AST Ireland Ltd; and Mr Paul Kavanagh, chairman, Stream Modus Media International.

Mr Bruton said the membership of the commission would be extended to be broadly representative of the business and public sectors, educational, community and technological interests.

The members have been appointed for three years.