1. EPAN eGovernment Working Group
Irish Presidency Meeting
26th & 27th February
Croke Park

2. Theme - Interoperability
Based on WG’s Working Plan Themes, Mid Term Programme, EU Communication on eGovernment
Critical underpinning of eGovernment and Public Service Modernisation
Definition –
“Ability of a system or process to share and use the information and/or functionality of another system or process.”

3. Preparation (1)
“Discussion” paper on “National” Interoperability prepared using –
information gathered from Interoperability projects in MS,
the work of policies and programmes of the European Commission on Interoperability;
expert input from a world renowned consultant in the field of Interoperability; and
internal research projects and consultations.
Paper sets out suggested principles and possible approaches to Interoperability in areas of technical, semantic and organisational interoperability as well as mechanisms for pan public service governance of these

4. Preparation (2)
Paper presented to IPSG Group for information and observations because of interest in elements of it
Sourced EU Commission Papers on European Interoperability Framework and Identity Management
All documentation circulated to attendees two weeks in advance of meeting
Accession Countries treated as full members for procedural purposes because of date of DG meeting

5. Attendees All 15 Member States
4 Accession Countries (with 2 apologies)
EU Commission
Interchange of Data between Administrations (IDA)

6. Agenda Thursday 26th
Presentation of Presidency “Discussion” Paper on Interoperability followed by an open-floor discussion
Presentation by IDA on European Interoperability Framework (EIF) &
IDAbc proposal followed by an open-floor discussion

7. Agenda Thursday 26th
Review of Group Working Plan and Terms of Reference (agreed during Italian Presidency)
Presentation on Presidency framework for implementation of EPAN Evaluation and TFE Report (Implementation Framework)

8. Agenda Friday 27th
Presentation by Malta on eGovernment Initiatives followed by discussion
Presentation by Estonia on eGovernment Initiatives followed by discussion
Presentation by Commission on MODINIS Identity Management proposal followed by discussion

9. Next Steps
Assimilation of comments and submissions on all papers by mid March
Recraft the Discussion Paper on Interoperability in light of observations received to make recommendations – hope to circulate by beginning of April
Development of draft submission from WG to IDA on EIF - hope to circulate by beginning of April

10. Next Steps
Submission of Working Group comments on Implementation Framework by next week
Preparation of draft DG resolution seeking approval for –
IDA submission; and
Adoption of Interoperability recommendations where consensus is achieved
(for circulation by early April)

11. 22nd & 23rd April St. Patrick’s Hall, Dublin Castle
Next Meeting
22nd & 23rd April
St. Patrick’s Hall, Dublin Castle

12. April Agenda Proposal on Interoperability Submission to IDA on EIF
Submission to Secretariat on Implementation Framework
MODINIS Identity Management proposal
Presentation by Cyprus on eGovernment
Presentation by Latvia on eGovernment
Information on June eGovernment Conference
Overview of plan for Dutch Presidency
DG Resolution

13. EPAN eGovernment Working Group