[Okfn-irl] DPER not leading open and transparent civil society consultations

Wed Jan 29 14:06:01 UTC 2014

Dear Evelyn & DPER Team,

as you are aware civil society is organizing itself and hoping to build a
network that can work as a platform for Government to engage in the
co-creation of Ireland's 1st OGP Action Plan.

*Please be advised of the following **concerns **with regards to Ireland's
Open Data Strategy, Public Reform Plan ambitions and the drafting of
Ireland's 1st OGP Action Plan.*

*Reminder of public reform plan ambitions which are also OGP principles: *

> *"*delivering greater openness, transparency and accountability to
> strengthen public governance and to re-build public trust in the State*"*

*Currently*

   - *There is secretive communication* regarding the OGP process between
   DPER and TASC that the public is not aware of until proactively shared by
   TASC. Communication should be with all of the CSOs and public, because
   otherwise assumptions maybe that one CSO is the preferred government
   partner rather than the public.
   - *We have not received a **reply from DPER* on our concrete suggestions
   for next steps outline
here<http://www.scribd.com/doc/202958680/22-1-2014-Letter-from-the-Open-Data-Community-to-DPER-with-concrete-next-steps-to-co-create-Ireland-s-1st-OGP-Action-Plan>and
   here<http://www.scribd.com/doc/202950992/20-1-2014-Letter-from-OKF-Ireland-to-DPER-suggesting-next-steps-to-co-create-Ireland-s-1st-OGP-Action-Plan>
   .
   - *We have not received **answers from DPER* to our questions about an
   update on the goals the Government is said to be pursuing with regards
   to open data which we have also asked in our last letter
here.<http://www.scribd.com/doc/202958680/22-1-2014-Letter-from-the-Open-Data-Community-to-DPER-with-concrete-next-steps-to-co-create-Ireland-s-1st-OGP-Action-Plan>

Details regarding the above concerns:

·        *Communication with civil society is not open*: Communication
regarding the OGP process in Ireland is mainly between the Department of
Public Expenditure and Reform and TASC - this is one sided. At this time I
cannot help but feel that DPER is sharing information with some parties
only and not with 'civil society'. I am specifically referring to the
communication with TASC about timelines of OGP next steps that are not
being shared with civil society by the government unless proactively shared
with the community by TASC) - this is not open. And this is not building
trust in the Government's, or DPERs intentions. As you will recall the very
essence of the OGP to "[*Involve] civil society in the development of the
national action plan [as] a critical step in improving dialogue between
citizens, civil society and government.*" Going forward we will require the
government to conduct all communication in relation to OGP openly by
including at least the relevant mailing lists (
open-government-ireland at googlegroups.com, open-data-ireland at googlegroups.comand
okfn-irl at lists.okfn.org ) and by starting off asking the community who
would like to be included in all communication. OGP requires DPER and the
government to "consult widely and openly with the national community,
including civil society ... and to seek out a diverse range of views."

·     *Tender process not transparent and open to unfair practices:* There
has been no consultation with civil society on the tender process and
description of the work/processes outlined in the bid. The period of time
allocated for submissions has been deemed one of the shortest known periods
of time for such
tender<http://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=73312&B=&PS=1&PP=>.
And together with the above mentioned lack of trust one cannot be sure that
you do not have a company or entity already in mind, have perhaps met or
communicated with them and have accordingly suited the tender process to
them. The public cannot be sure that the process is conducted fair. Tender
processes should be fully transparent and as part of the OGP action plan
creation should be subject to consultation with civil society. This was not
the case here. Please advise what would be the best way forward to make
this specific tender process more transparent going forward. Are you able
to share any communication you have undertaken with non public service or
government related entities and share the rationale for this tender with
the public to catch up on the consultation process?

·         *Expected formality:* I cannot speak for anyone else but I find
it incredibly disrespectful to respond to emails of the open data community
only addressing Nat O'Connor (TASC). It suggests that indeed you are only
talking to one entity and not to civil society. I am very willing to work
together and usually of a positive nature so if possible could you address
the community as a whole in the future, open up communication and then I
believe we can start actually co-creating the OGP Action Plan.

Hoping and looking forward to better consultation and engagement processes
going forward.

Best,

Flora Fleischer

Co-Founder, OKF Ireland

m: +353851587423 I  @daydreamer2105 <https://twitter.com/Daydreamer2105> |
irl.okfn.org

Open data - the 21st century public library www.opendata.ie
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