Who will be affected by INSPIRE

All Local Authorities, as well as many Government Departments, and State Agencies have extensive spatial data holdings which fall under the descriptions in the Annexes. These agencies will be required to create metadata (descriptions of these data) available, to publish that metadata in a searchable form, and to make the original spatial data available through the network services which will be established.

Government

Government at all levels will be a major user of the infrastructure for policy – making, implantation and monitoring. Although the data sets have an environmental bias, given that they include vital reference information, it is likely that it will be used also by many national departments outside the field. For example almost all government monitoring systems deal with spatial data and consideration will need to be given to their adaptation so that they can integrate with the INSPIRE infrastructure. 

Local Authorities

Regional & Local Authorities will also find it useful as will many national and European businesses.  The INSPIRE  infrastructure provides an opportunity for suitable SME’s in the software, data and other fields to develop products which are targeted at niche markets.

Academics and Researchers

Academics and researchers in a fairly wide range of fields are also likely to make use of the infrastructure. The ability to make seamless connections across the wide range of data types will gradually open up new opportunities for understanding all kinds of change processes. 

Community Groups and the General Public

Undoubtedly the public too will, over time, begin to make more and more use of the INSPIRE facility, especially through the viewing services, as will non-governmental and community organisations.  Given the many possible uses it is likely that INSPIRE will become a springboard for both job and wealth creation.