Push for paper-free parliament

 TALLINN -- For years, businesses have been pursuing the dream of a 'paper free office'. Now, in keeping with its techno-savvy status as 'E-stonia', Estonian lawmakers could do their business in the world's first paper-free parliament

The Reform Party faction has presented to parliament promoting the concept of an "e-parliament", a fully electronic legislature.

Chairwoman of the faction Keit Pentus said it was not sensible toproduce hundreds of copies of all the bills, motions and addresses, dealt with in parliament, considering technology level.

"Such an organization is unfortunately considerably outdated and the Reform Party finds it is necessary to change it," she said.

Pentus said the parliament should be a model of both administrative capability and innovation. "Multiplying heaps upon heaps of papers certainly is not [appropriate]," she added.

According to a Reform Party proposal a system should be introduced by 2009 at the latest to enable paper-free work both in the full house and in parliamentary committees and make correspondence with public institutions fully electronic.

The Reform Party said it would attempt to inspire all public institutions, including ministers, the legal chancellor's office and the Bank of Estoniato send their materials to members of parliament electronically in future.