The Labour spokesman on communications, marine and natural resources, Mr Tommy Broughan, criticised the manner in which the digital hub project for the Liberties-Coombe area of Dublin had been introduced.
"At the outset, there was a lack of discussion, particularly among the academic community at university level," he said.
He said he understood that it was The Irish Times journalist, Karlin Lillington, who had described the first discussion document on the media village as "dismayingly anorexic". It was a document lacking in vision and enterprise, said Mr Broughan.
"The row between members of the academic community in the original discussions on this proposal eventually spilled over on to the pages of The Wall Street Journal, which probably did not do our image much good."
Mr Broughan was speaking during the debate on the Digital Hub Development Agency Bill 2002, introduced by the Minister of State for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr John Browne. The Bill establishes Digital Media Development Ltd (DMDL), set up by the Government to oversee the development of the digital hub on a statutory basis, as the Digital Hub Development Agency.
Mr Browne said the Bill, which was welcomed by the Opposition, also provided for the necessary corporate and governance structures for such a State body, and served to define the functions and role of the agency relating to the development of the digital hub. The digital hub, he explained, was in the area of the Liberties and the Coombe around Thomas Street, which had been designated as a centre for digital content enterprises and related activities.
The area had an impressive heritage of industrial buildings and the utilisation of those for enterprise would help to give the hub a distinctive character and could be used as a marketing tool in the attraction of international digital media enterprises. "We are not alone in seeing the potential of digital content to create high-quality sustainable employment and there is a number of similar projects around the world.
"Therefore, harnessing the unique aspects of our project, such as the attractive physical environment and our strong cultural heritage in music and literature, is important." Digital content, he said, included sound, pictures, text and video available in digital format and embraced sectors such as education, information, entertainment and consumer-orientated content.
Mr Browne said there had been a number of high-profile job losses in the technology sector, and there was no doubt that Ireland was not immune to the international downturn in that area.
"Arising from that, it is reasonable to ask if the Government is placing too much faith in technology to deliver high-quality sustainable jobs going forward.
"I believe the sector has the capacity to deliver significant growth, and, therefore, it is important that we now invest in research and infrastructure so we are well positioned to reap the benefits when the international outlook improves."
