The cross-government coordinated approach which encompasses digital infrastructure, data standards and access is expected to result in much wider sharing and reuse of public sector data. Benefits will include realisation of the “once only” principle that persons should not have to provide the same information multiple times to different public bodies.
The Data Sharing Bill provides for the creation of base registries that will act as single authoritative sources of basic information for public bodies in respect of key categories of data. These registries will underpin the development of the National Data Infrastructure, which will further support and drive innovation in the delivery of public services and policy.
The value of Open Data ultimately lies in the use made of the data. The ODI involves significant engagement with citizens, business, researchers, and public bodies. This includes organisation and attendance at outreach, dissemination and collaboration events.

OD Strategy 2017-2022 implemented as government policy.
Irish OD Portal rated as No 1 in European OD Maturity survey 2017. The portal hosts over 8,700 datasets with an average 12,000 visitors a month.
OD Liaison Officers have been appointed in all public bodies
The Open Data conference ‘Harnessing Open Data’ will be held on November 19th showcasing innovative reuse of data
The ODI continues to engage with the public and data professionals by participating in conferences to showcase and promote OD including: Data Summit, Dublin, 19th Sept.; Public Service Innovation, Dublin, 26th Sept.; Predict, Dublin, Oct. 2nd; ODI will attend the global CoderDojo in Kilkenny, 19-21 Oct.
2018/2019 grant based OD Engagement Fund open for entries until Friday 26th Oct. Any organisation or individual can apply for up to €5000 in grant aid.
A National Data Infrastructure (NDI) champions group representing all departments is in place
Work to establish a Unique Business Identifier is nearing completion.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform provides the funding to support a 'best in class' OD infrastructure.
The Open Data Governance Board is comprised of representatives from business, civil society groups, researchers/academia, librarians/information professionals who provide strategic leadership and governance in line with best international practice.
Public Bodies Working Group provides technical advice to ensure a coherent and consistent approach to the publication of Open Data.

The business community can take commercial advantage of the data developing applications based on the data on the OD portal.
Citizens become more informed and hold public bodies to account. They receive a unified and more efficient service.
Media use OD to ensure transparency and accountability gains and keep citizenry informed.
Research Community play a key role in identifying economic, social and democratic opportunities.
Public Bodies have embedded OD in their knowledge management processes.

The Data Sharing Bill has passed the first stage of the parliamentary process. When implemented the customer service experience will be improved for users of public services and transaction costs will be reduced for public bodies. The Unique Business Id Number will also improve government-to-business service delivery and regulation. Policy analysts will gain access to a greater range of data held across the public service, which will significantly improve public policy decision making and evaluation.
Theme 4 of the ODI implementation plan incorporates supports to develop commercial reuse of the data. Over 50% of the business users who download data from the Portal are Start-ups or SMEs.
Measuring the impact Open Data has on society is becoming more important. Each year the EU Open Data impact indicators look at political, social and economic impact. Between 2016-2020 the market size for Open Data is estimated to increase by 36.9% to a value of 75.7 bn EUR.

The key challenge has been balancing the need to make better use of data by facilitating greater data sharing with the need to respect citizens’ right to privacy and protection of their personal data. Particularly considering the manner in which the GDPR strengthens the public’s control over their personal data and the purposes for which it may be used. Therefore, as well as providing a clear legislative gateway for public bodies to share data, the legislation must also provide a framework for public bodies to share data in a manner that is compatible with the requirements of the GDPR – that bodies must be transparent with the public about exactly what data is to be shared and for what purpose.
The identification and preparation of datasets for release as Open Data has been challenging for several organisations. A targeted training schedule and a Technical Framework, which provides standards for the publication of data, has been put in place to raise capability levels.

The support at Ministerial level coupled with funding for the ODI has been crucial to the implementation and success of the initiative. The subsequent development of the Open Data Strategy 2017-2022 document and publication as government policy provided the platform to advance the initiative with full governmental backing.
The governance structures implemented involving business, academia, the data community and public bodies has provided leadership to the ODI while engendering cooperation and trust across all sectors.
The inter-linkages with the proposed NDI, Digital Strategy and the Data Sharing Bill underpin the ODI and enhance the provisions for better data management from reception to publication.
It has been important to sell the benefits of the legislation and policies to all stakeholders and reassure them that it is being drafted against the background of ensuring citizens’ rights to privacy and data protection are fully respected and enhanced by what is proposed.

Ireland’s Open Data Portal is provided as fully open source code on Github. Other European countries have used the Irish example to develop similar portals. At a recent EU workshop on ‘Advanced Portals’ contacts were established with several countries with a view to sharing experience and development initiatives to mutual advantage.
The National Data Infrastructure currently being developed is defining standard data definitions and unique identifiers for implementation across government services. These standards will be transferred in time to the local government sector to provide further efficiencies and effective service provision. Joining the circle of service provision will be challenging given the range of systems implemented in the local government sector. However parties in this sector are beginning to examine standards in-line with the proposed National Data Infrastructure.

Public consultation is to be encouraged where possible. The ODI conducted a broad public consultation to inform the development of the Open Data Strategy published in July 2017. This consultation helped shape a more inclusive and open by default approach. The ODI continues to gather feedback from the public through several engagement forums.

A Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) for the Data Sharing Bill, which was informed by a public consultation, concluded that there is a need to update the legislative regime to provide for a flexible legislative gateway that will simplify the complex legal landscape that currently slows the pace of government’s efforts to modernise and improve the services it provides to people and businesses. The RIA also concluded that there is a need to allow for data sharing to be carried out in a systematic, consistent and transparent way, so that the public can be confident that their personal data is being used for the right purposes and remains securely held.

Supports are required to assist people to embrace new initiatives and build capabilities. To this end the ODI instigated a training program which introduced people to the basics of Open Data and data sharing through to publishing, data visualisations and anonymisation techniques. Linked data courses are provided for more advanced users.
A Technical Framework was also put in place to provide guidance and standards in relation to using licences, metadata, recommended data formats and unique identifiers.

The Government Reform Division under Lucy Fallon-Byrne strives to put in place a progressive, responsive and innovative public service. The approach taken is to educate and empower public servants to position them to meet the challenges of a changing workplace.

Operation of the Open Data Initiative and Portal is managed by a small team in the Open Data Unit in Government Reform. Technical assistance is provided by a contracted supplier, Derilinx Ltd.

Implementation of the Open Data Initiative in Ireland and the establishment of the Government portal Data.gov.ie is leading to more open, transparent and accountable government and has the potential to reap significant economic, social and democratic benefits. Open data can drive new innovation and provide opportunities - including commercial opportunities - for businesses, citizens and public servants.