Government employees will soon be able to apply for vacation time and make travel requests through the new fully integrated Government website.

In a speech given to the House of Assembly on Friday, Minister of Tourism, Telecommunications and E-commerce, Renee Webb, updated Members of Parliament on how her plans for a so-called ‘e-Government' were progressing.

And she said that by the early stages of 2004 the e-portal, which is currently under development, will make Government more efficient in conducting business online.

“The portal project is an important and integral development of our vision for e-Government in Bermuda,” she said.“As I have previously reported to the House, our strategy on e-Government is a component of the overall commitment of the Government on modernising the Civil Service.”

She said the website would give residents and businesses and easier and better way to get information and services from Government departments and agencies.

“The ability of residents, for example, to download application forms from the Department of Immigration, pay their land tax online and book their car and bike tests on the web will, for many, be a significant benefit in the busy lives we increasingly lead,” she said.

Ms Webb went on to explain that the portal, which will be used to synchronise all the websites of the different departments, will come together in a series of integrated phases.

The first phase will be completed by the end of January and then there will be two more stages that will be rolled out one after the other.

“The portal will act as a one-stop-shop for all that citizens and businesses may want to know about Government,” she said. “This clearly represents a further step towards open and transparent Government.”

Ms Webb went on to explain that the second and third phases of the portal project will run from next February and will move existing Government applications on to the portal, such as e-tax and the establishment of new ones, such as ones being developed for the transport control department for the booking on-line of road tests and the renewal of vehicle and scooter licences.

She said: “During this period the portal will also be made available to all Government employees through existing Government network, allowing employees to apply for vacation time, make travel requests and also participate in in-line learning opportunities.”

Ms Webb went on to say that the portal will also offer businesses and residents personalised screens - picking the colour and layout as well as issuing reminders for vehicle and boat licence renewals.

“The e-Government portal is not just about citizen and business access to information, it is about developing knowledge and having access to programmes, policies and services which promote collaboration and understanding of the Government and its overall function within the community

“The e-Government portal is not just one of this Government's boldest initiatives, it is also a necessity for a dynamic and sophisticated jurisdiction like Bermuda.”