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

Wed Jan 29 15:51:22 UTC 2014

Flora,

If everything you say is actually happening, I suggest that it smacks of a
“divide and conquer” strategy whereby the powers-that-be choose to work with
one group, which in turn claims to speak for what it terms “civil society” ,
which it has yet to define.

It does not look like a good foundation for building an inclusive society,
which I assume is much more in tune with OGP processes that has been custom
and practice in Irish public governance based as it is on the “Westminster
model” 

Was it Max Weber who said that the only power of bureaucracy is secrecy?

Regards

Donal Ó Brolcáin

From: okfn-irl [mailto:okfn-irl-bounces at lists.okfn.org] On Behalf Of Flora
Fleischer
Sent: 29 January 2014 14:06
To: O'Connor, Evelyn; Beausang, William; McCann, Conor; Martinez, Claire
Cc: okfn-irl at lists.okfn.org; open-data-ireland at googlegroups.com;
open-government-ireland at googlegroups.com
Subject: [Okfn-irl] DPER not leading open and transparent civil society
consultations

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
<http://www.scribd.com/doc/202958680/22-1-2014-Letter-from-the-Open-Data-Com
munity-to-DPER-with-concrete-next-steps-to-co-create-Ireland-s-1st-OGP-Actio
n-Plan> here and
<http://www.scribd.com/doc/202950992/20-1-2014-Letter-from-OKF-Ireland-to-DP
ER-suggesting-next-steps-to-co-create-Ireland-s-1st-OGP-Action-Plan>  here. 

·         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
<http://www.scribd.com/doc/202958680/22-1-2014-Letter-from-the-Open-Data-Com
munity-to-DPER-with-concrete-next-steps-to-co-create-Ireland-s-1st-OGP-Actio
n-Plan> here.

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.com and 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=&P
S=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 <http://irl.okfn.org/> 

Open data - the 21st century public library  <http://www.opendata.ie/>
www.opendata.ie

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