Irish OGCIO becomes the newest member of Euritas
The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) of the Republic of Ireland is the newest member of Euritas, a European organization that brings together public companies and institutions providing ICT services to the public sector. The OGCIO officially joined the organization at the Euritas meeting held on Monday and Tuesday in Helsinki, where the certificate of membership was presented to OGCIO representative Ken Barclay by Euritas President Saša Bilić.
Emphasizing that each new member brings valuable experience and perspective, Bilić particularly highlighted the role of OGCIO, which, in addition to being a technical partner, also participates at a strategic level in the digitalization of Irish society and public administration. As part of the ministry responsible for public administration reform, the OGCIO is involved in implementing an ambitious development strategy for the 2021-2030 period.
“The advisory and strategic role that OGCIO holds at the Irish government level strengthens Euritas’ competencies and position as a platform representing the interests of public administration and public ICT providers,” said Bilić.
Speaking after being formally admitted to the group Mr. Ken Barclay said: “The OGCIO is appreciative of the opportunity to join Euritas and looks forward to engaging constructively with the team. The OGCIO welcomes the opportunity to engage with all of the other member organizations at such a critical time for the delivery of digital transformation and innovation in public services”.
Along with expanding membership, the meeting’s focus includes intensifying cooperation with the European Commission. The participation of Manuel Mateo Goyet, a representative of the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) responsible for cloud computing and software, presented the opportunity for discussions on possible ways of cooperation, the new structure of the European Commission, and in particular, the formation of a new portfolio for technological sovereignty, security, and democracy.
Euritas, headquartered in Vienna, aims to articulate the common interests and specific needs of the public IT sector in Europe and collaborate on key digital transformation issues through the exchange of experiences and joint positions.
Euritas members, which include companies and institutions from Finland, Denmark, Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Malta, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Croatia, collectively employ more than 47,000 IT professionals and provide digital public services to over 124 million European citizens.
Photo Copyright ‘Government ICT Centre Valtori’
