According to this press announcement the Dutch Ministerial Council approved of a governmental test proposed by Minister of Justice Hirsch Ballin to let citizens, businesses and interest groups talk via the Internet about new rules . It is expected that the first internetconsultations in the preparation of laws and regulations will be held in the autumn of 2008. The experiment will be completed after two years and evaluated.

The Internet is an important tool for the process of disclosure and may help to better organize the consultation process and make lawmaking accessible to more people. It helps to make better use of the present knowledge and experience in the society. The government welcomes internet by law and regulations as a complement to existing possibilities for seeking advice. By getting the interested more involved in the preparation of new laws the new rules will be accepted easier. It also increases the enforceability.

The government considers it important that government-wide experience is gained with internet before it is finally introduced. A good experiment offers everyone involved the opportunity to gain experience. It provides the government information needed for a best possible judgment on the question whether, and if so how to internet regulation in structural preparation can be imported and to what extent this additional capacity and financial resources are needed.

In the trial period departments ask advice on a limited part of the laws, and ministerial regulations. The Ministry of Justice will coordinate and facilitate the experiment.