Hi,

I don't know the protocol surrounding these things, but it might be an idea to extend a polite invitation to Mary Hanafin, Minister of State with Responsibility for the Information Society, to this proposed talk. She recently spoke about the need to push open standards rather than open source in government. Perhaps a talk by RMS might begin the process of changing her mind?

Any invitation should be sent early in order to get it onto her calendar (if she's at all interested). Failing that, perhaps a senior member of her staff?

Éibhear

P.S. I know I used the "open source" anathema above. However, as a device of antithesis, "open stanards versus open source" is a clever bit of FUD and I use it in that ironic context. It sounds good to the ear, too.

-- Éibhear Ó hAnluain IFSO Ireland.