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The Irish Internet Association (IIA) and the E-Commerce Association of Ireland (ECAI) have signed an agreement to merge the two organisations.
The new organisation is to be called the Irish Internet Association and Andrew O'Shaughnessy, the current chairman of the IIA will retain the chairmanship of the new organisation.
Both organisations held EGM's on 09 April in which they voted overwhelmingly to merge. In addition the IIA conducted an e-ballet vote that accounted for 70 percent of the total votes cast in a move to further utilise the medium it promotes.
"I feel delighted about it. It's going to be a stronger voice and stronger association," O'Shaughnessy told ElectricNews.Net. "Their experience is really going to strengthen the board of the IIA."
The ECAI was established 1989 and until May 1996 was known as the EDI Association of Ireland. In 1996 the organisation renamed itself "to reflect the wider aspects of electronic commerce."
The Association has provided a common source of information for electronic commerce users and potential users in Ireland.
Three former ECAI board members, John Pierce, Patrick Tully and Rory Power, will be moving into the IIA board bringing the total 12 to 15.
"This is a really good fit as both associations whilst operating in the same space, had different focuses. Collectively we can now further the development of the Internet for business," Pierce said.
The moment toward a merger started last year said O'Shaughnessy and ongoing negotiations led to completion of the deal.
The two organisations have been moving in the same direction in recent years according to O'Shaughnessy. "Ultimately we had the same goals," he said.
The new Association will be tighter financially, he added.
The IIA currently employs 3 staff members with Frank Cronin as the Chief Operating Officer.
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