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Minister Breen announces intention to host Digital 9 meeting in Ireland in 2018

Minister Breen attends Digital 9 Ministerial Meeting in Stockholm to discuss our digital society 

Pat Breen TD, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection is leading an Irish delegation to the Digital 9 (D9) meeting taking place in Stockholm Sweden, today (Wednesday). The meeting will be attended by Ministers from other EU member states.   

The D9 group is made up of digital frontrunner countries comprising Ireland and Nordic, Benelux and Baltic states.  Its focus is on delivering strategic oversight on the optimal application of digital policy and on acting as a forum for exchange of best practice. The meeting will discuss issues including the challenges of Digital Society today, the Future of Work, online platforms and the European Commission’s proposal on the Free Flow of Data. 

Speaking prior to the meeting, Minister Breen said: “Digitisation is increasing on a vast scale and Ireland has long been recognised as a digital front runner within the EU.  In addition to difference it makes to our everyday lives, digitisation provides huge economic opportunities.  I am firmly of the view that a stronger and more coherent Digital Single Market is essential to boost jobs and economic growth in all regions across Europe, to open new growth opportunities for our SMEs and to ensure our global competitiveness” 

The EU Digital Single Market Strategy has the goal of adapting our current Single Market rules to reflect the realities of a twenty-first century digital environment.  The Strategy is made up of 16 initiatives, comprising cross-Government legislative and non-legislative measures, that support three key pillars:  

· Simplifying access to digitisation for consumers and business  

· Shaping the environment for digital networks and services to flourish, and 

· Maximising the growth potential of the digital economy.  

Minister Breen added “Our active engagement in the Digital Single Market is an enabler of Ireland’s Digital Economy.  The D9 Group provides an important forum through which the best practice and knowledge of like-minded member countries can be shared to greater effect.  In this regard, I look forward to hosting a meeting of the D9 Group in 2018.  This will underscore Ireland’s commitment to the digital agenda”.   

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For further information contact Press Office, D/Business, Enterprise and Innovation ph. 6312220 or press.office@djei.ie