58. Notes that e-commerce has developed outside of traditional and standard trade regulatory frameworks; stresses the importance of increased international cooperation within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in order to protect and ensure the development of the global digital market; calls for the revision and updating of the current Information Technology Agreement (ITA) within the WTO, and for the EU to explore the possibility of an International Digital Economy Agreement (IDEA);

9. Notes that e-commerce has developed outside of traditional and standard trade regulatory frameworks; stresses the importance of increased international cooperation within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in order to protect and ensure the development of the global digital market; calls for a revision and update of the current Information Technology Agreement (ITA) within the WTO, and for the EU to explore the possibility of an International Digital Economy Agreement (IDEA);

28. Welcomes the significant growth of e-commerce, and draws attention to consumers’ concerns over transaction security; calls on the Member States and the Commission to strengthen the legislative framework that protects consumers using e-commerce, and to develop a framework that promotes the certification of e-commerce websites, financial institutions and public institutions in terms of security, so that consumers can have confidence when they access the websites concerned;

Electronic commerce is, by its very nature, a global issue and national solutions alone would hamper the development of electronic money.

Investment in our infrastructure is a critical component to the continued success and growth of the Irish economy; in particular, Ireland is aiming to become a world centre of e-commerce.

We need therefore to continue, as Mr Harbour said, to have a full consultation and debate on both the outstanding and arising issues for business and consumers. In particular, this is the case given the global nature of e-commerce.