EU and FG Leo Varadkars and

other ministers, Pascal O

Donoghue, Regina O Doherty
had try to force voluntary ID
card on public by denying
services
When the Irish Council of Civil Liberties are getting worried about this card then you know
something is up...

JOHN HEDGES
AN PHOBLACHT EDITOR

It isnt compulsory but for my department

its mandatory Fine Gael Social
Protection Minister Regina Doherty
LEO VARADKAR is trying to make the Public Services Card a national
identity card despite Minister Paschal Donohoe insisting in May: Its not,
and will not be, compulsory to have a Public Services Card.

It isnt compulsory but for my department its mandatory

Fine Gael Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty
Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty (pictured) has said that a Public
Services Card is now mandatory to receive payments from the Department of
Social Protection.
She was speaking in response to an outcry after a woman in her 70s had her
state pension cut off by her officials because she refused to register for an ID
card.
Other instances are coming to light of agencies (including the Passport
Office) insisting that applicants for services present a Public Services Card.
Driver Theory Test centres have said in writing that a Public Services Card is
the only acceptable form of identification to take the essential step to
obtaining a driving licence.
Minister Regina Doherty said, confusingly:
Lets be very clear. Nobody is required by law to have a card. So therefore it
isnt compulsory.
But for my department its mandatory and I know people might say Im
splitting hairs . . .
The general dictionary definition of mandatory is required by law or mandate;
compulsory.
Regina Doherty added:
Youre not obliged to have a card. Nobody will drag you kicking and
screaming to have a card.
If you do not have a Public Services Card, however, Minister Dohertys
officials will deny you access to public services. Its a Catch-22 situation.

Sinn Fin Dublin Central TD Mary Lou McDonald (pictured) accused the Fine
Gael/Independent Government of introducing a mandatory national ID
card by the back door.
It is, Mary Lou said, a textbook example of a government that believes it is
not accountable to the people.
There has been no Dil debate on the Public Services Card becoming a
compulsory ID card.
The Sinn Fin deputy leader asked:
Where is the necessary public scrutiny and debate regarding the very
significant privacy and data protection rights concerns associated with the
introduction of a mandatory national ID card? Mary
On what legal basis are departmental agencies enabled to make the Public
Services Card a mandatory requirement?
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has called for the Government to clarify if the
Public Services Card is now the only acceptable form of ID for Government
departments.
ICCL Executive Director Liam Herrick said:

There is a material difference between a voluntary card and mandatory

card, which we have never had.

No public debate. No public consultation and no clear legislation to usher in this National ID
card.
Just underhanded double speak from a unaccountable government.
It's a disgrace the shit they are getting away with...
The is no legal requirement for Irish citizens to hold the card and the government has
denied making the card compulsory.
THE MINISTER FOR Social Protection Regina Doherty has said that the Public Services
Card (PSC) is not compulsory but is mandatory to claim social welfare.
When the Irish Council of Civil Liberties are getting worried about this card then you know
something is up...

http://www.anphoblacht.co
m/contents/27061

DSP UPDATE 25 AUG 2017 - Regina's been busy.

Cost of PSC to date = 60M
Minister says Public Services Card is 'not compulsory but is mandatory'
Statement on Public Services Card 25th August 2017
The Public Services Card (PSC) is precisely that, a card for accessing public services. It
helps customers access a range of public services easily. The users identity is fully
authenticated when it is issued so they do not have to give the same information to multiple
organisations. It was first introduced in 2011 and was initially rolled out to people getting
social welfare payments. It is now being rolled out to other public services.
The PSC is currently a requirement for the following;
Access to Social Welfare Services (including Child Benefit and Treatment Benefits)
First time adult passport applicants in the state
Replacement of lost, stolen or damaged passports issued prior to January 2005, where the
person is resident in the State.
Access to high value or personal online public services, e.g. Social Welfare and Revenue
services, via MyGovId, the mechanism for accessing public services online.
The Department of Social Protection makes it clear to customers in receipt of social welfare
payments that they do need to register to SAFE 2 to access, or continue to access, a social
welfare entitlement.
Customers in receipt of a social welfare entitlement are written to and invited to make an
appointment to complete the SAFE 2 registration process -which results in them being
issued with a Public Services Card. The process takes about 15 minutes to complete, once
all required documents are presented. The Department also issues reminder letters to
customers, if required.
The majority of our customers accept the importance of, and need for the robust SAFE 2
identity verification process when in receipt of a social welfare entitlement and c2.77m
Public Services Cards have been issued to date.
The decision to suspend or stop a payment is never made lightly. However, where a
customer does not satisfy the Minister in relation to identity as per the legislative
requirements outlined below, a payment can be stopped or suspended.
Legislative Basis for disqualification from receipt of benefit where identity is not
authenticated
In 2005, the Government approved a rules based standard for establishing and
authenticating an individuals identity for the purposes of access to public services. This
standard is known as the Standard Authentication Framework environment or SAFE. A
Public Services Card (PSC) is issued to an individual who has successfully completed a
registration process to a substantial level of assurance this is known as SAFE 2.
In the case of the Department of Social Protections own services, the legislation governing
the validation of identity for access to these is contained in the Social Welfare
Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, viz.
Section 247C(1) of the Act provides that the Minister may require any person receiving a
benefit to satisfy the Minister as to his or her identity;
Section 247C(2) of the Act specifies the consequences of failure to satisfy the Minister in
relation to identity as required, specifically that a person shall be disqualified from receiving
a benefit;
Section 247C(3) of the Act specifies the manner in which the Minister may be so satisfied;
in effect, this Section describes the process for registering a persons identity - this is the
SAFE 2 Process.
In other words, this legislation requires a person to satisfy the Minister as to their identity
and allows disqualification from receipt of a benefit in the event that it is not done. It is not
possible for a person to satisfy the Minister as to his or her identity without being SAFE 2
registered.
Legislative basis for usage of PSC by other public bodies
The legislation governing the production of the PSC and its usage by other public bodies is
set out at Section 263 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. Section 263 also sets
out how it is an offence for bodies not specified in the legislation to seek or use the PSC.
As an Garda Sochna is not a specified body in the legislation (except in respect of its
own members), it would therefore be an offence for a Garda to ask someone to present a
PSC
Is a Public Services Card a national Identity Card?
The Public Service Card is a card for accessing public services only. It is a token which
proves that a person has had their identity verified to a substantial level of assurance in
accordance with the SAFE 2 standard. It is governed in that context by legislative
provisions in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended), which limit its
usage.
The Public Services Card does not have any of the typical characteristics of a national
identity card in that
You are not required by law to register for a Public Services Card. It is not compulsory or
mandatory for individuals to hold or carry a Public Services Card. There is no law in Ireland
requiring a person to carry any form of ID card (other than a driving licence when driving).
You are not required by law to provide it to a member of the police force at their request.
An Garda Sochna is specifically precluded from requesting an individual to produce a
PSC as proof of identity. This deliberate exclusion is a clear signal as to the purpose of the
PSC.
Bodies not specified in the legislation in either the public or private sector may not request
the PSC or may not be required to use it in any transactions.
The Public Services Card is exactly that a card is designed for the purpose of safely,
securely and efficiently providing public services.
PSC and Data Protection
The design of the card was discussed with the Office of Data Protection Commissioner
which, in its Annual Report of 2010, advised that The Public Services Card will include a
photograph, signature and electronic chip, as well as featuring the PPSN of the individual
on the back of the card. The incremental nature of the rollout of the Public Services Card is
welcome as is the active engagement of the Department of Social Protection with all
stakeholders including our Office to try to ensure that all relevant issues are addressed. It
has already completely taken on board a number of points which we have made, which I
very much welcome.
The personal information on the card is deliberately restricted to avoid misrepresentation or
identity fraud in circumstances where the card has been lost or stolen. Lost or stolen cards
are replaced without charge.
PSC and Security
Given the value of a Public Services Card, its design includes a number of advanced
physical and technical security features that meet the highest international standards of
data security. Importantly, all data contained on the PSC chip is encrypted. Only paired
card readers specifically programmed to accept Public Services Cards can read the
encrypted personal data which is held on the card.
Free Travel Variant of the Public Services Card
Free Travel customers include those over 66 years of age, and customers in receipt of
Disability Allowance, Blind pension, Invalidity payments, Carers payments and those
participating in the Make Work Pay scheme who can retain their free travel entitlement for
a period of five years after they return to work. The Free Travel variant of the PSC holds a
separate contactless chip which allows it to interact with the Integrated Ticketing System
operated by the National Transport Authority. No personal information on a customer is
made available to any transport operator either inside or outside of the jurisdiction when the
PSC is used to interact with the ticketing system.
Have the Public Been informed about this ?
The Department has always been open about its plans to invite all customers in receipt of
social welfare payments to register to SAFE 2. The Department has also produced
explainer videos in both English and Irish relating to the PSC card and it use; these are
available on the Departments website. www.welfare.ie/psc
The legislation underpinning the Departments application of the SAFE registration process
and use of the PSC has been published and debated in the Oireachtas. Since the launch of
the PSC in 2011, the Department has answered a considerable amount of questions both
in the Dil and in the Irish media.
ENDS
Department of Social Protection
25th August 2017

http://www.welfare.ie/en/p
ressoffice/Pages/pr250817.a
spx

Statement on Public
Services Card 25th August
2017
http://www.welfare.ie/en/p
ressoffice/pdf/pr250817.pdf
Regina Doherty says public
services card now
mandatory for welfare
Minister for Social Protection says other Government
departments will make card compulsory
about 11 hours ago Updated: about 7 hours ago
Elaine Edwards, Vivienne Clarke

Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty says public services card is now
mandatory to access payments from her department.

An advocacy group for older people has expressed

concern at comments by Minister for Social

Protection Regina Doherty that a public services

card is now mandatory to receive payments from

the Department of Social Protection.

The Minister for Social Protection has confirmed that the Public Services
Card is now mandatory in order to access services from her department.
Regina Doherty claimed the card is not compulsory as "nobody is required by
law" to have one.
She confirmed however that government departments will refuse to provide
citizens with the basic public services they are entitled to if they refuse to sign up.
"Nobody will drag you kicking and screaming," she said.
"This is mandatory to access public services originally now from the Department
of Social Protection - but I understand there are other departments that are going
to make it mandatory."
Minister Doherty was speaking on Newstalk Breakfast after it was revealed that a
woman in her 70s was refused her state pension because she did not want to
sign up for the card.
She said the legislation introducing the card was passed in 2005 - adding that her
department has made it compulsory in recent years so that staff can verify
people's identities.
Previously, passports were used to verify identities.
She said Department of Social Protection services amount to over 20bn per
year:
We believe [...] that it is not too much to ask people to authenticate who you are
so that we can give you a fast and efficient public service to make sure you get
what you are entitled to," she said.

National Identity Card

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has written to the government outlining its
concerns over the card - and called on the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe
to clarify whether the cards are mandatory.
The group is one of a number of organisations to express concern that the
government is attempting to introduce a "national identity card by stealth" without
any public debate or scrutiny.
The cards were originally made mandatory for social welfare recipients and
pensioners seeking free travel.
They have recently been made a mandatory requirement for anyone wishing to
sit the driver theory test and will soon be required to apply for a passport or
driving licence.
Minister Donohoe has previously insisted that it is not and will not be mandatory
to have a PSC card.

Biometric Card
The Public Services Card is capable of containing detailed biological data
including facial recognition, fingerprints and eye scans.
The contract to provide the cards was awarded to a private company, Biometric
Card Services. The state will reportedly receive a discount on that deal if 3 million
identity cards are issued by the end of this year.
Approximately 2.75 million have been issued to date.
National identity cards are compulsory in a number of European countries -
where citizens can be arrested for failing to produce them.
Civil liberties groups have warned that the compulsory requirement to carry them
has the potential to be "used a tool of petty harassment" by law enforcement.

http://www.newstalk.com/Minister-says-Public-Services-Card-mandatory-but-

not-compulsory

Government denies attempt

to introduce national ID card
by stealth"
A new plan will make it mandatory for anyone applying for a
passport to first obtain a Public Services Card
NEWS

The Government has denied claims it is attempting to

make it compulsory for citizens to have a Public Services
Card despite the fact that it will soon be required to
apply for a passport.
Privacy campaigners have claimed the plan to make the card
compulsory for anyone applying for a drivers licence or
passport amounts to the introduction of national ID card by
stealth.
The passport application requirement is set to be introduced in
the autumn, while applicants for drivers licences will need to
have one by next year.
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has insisted it
is not and will not be mandatory to have a PSC card but
Daragh OBrien, managing director of Castlebridge Data
Protection and Data Governance is not convinced:
Daragh OBrien, data protection expert
If you require it in order to get a drivers licence in order to get
to work, or to get a passport in order to go on holidays with
your family, then it is mandatory even if the state is saying
otherwise, he said.
He told Newstalk Breakfast that while he can see benefits to a
national ID card system, it cannot be introduced by stealth,
without appropriate debate and transparency.
The PSC card was rolled out in on a pilot basis in 2011.
It was initially issued to social welfare recipients with the
Department of Social Protection threatening anyone who
refused to obtain the card with a suspension of payment.
The card has now been issued to over 2.5 million Irish
citizens.
Tool of petty harassment
The head of civil liberties group Digital Rights Ireland, TJ
McIntyre, told The Pat Kenny Show that he has concerns over
the manner in which the card is now being rolled out to the
rest of the population.
People have been apparently, in some cases, randomly
required to register even though they are not within the formal
schemes that require people to register, he said.
In other cases, perversely they have been sending out cards
to people who havent applied for them and dont want them.
While many European countries require their citizens to carry
a mandatory national ID card, Mr McIntyre warned that they
have the "potential to be used a tool of petty harassment."
In France as a middle-aged white man, you might find it
slightly easier to move around and not be asked for your ID
that much, he said.
As a young black or Arab man in the Parisien Banlieu you
might find yourself asked for ID in a slightly more harassing
manner more often by police.
You can listen back to Mr McIntyre's conversation with Pat
Kenny here:

Highlights from The Pat Kenny Show

Is the public services card necessary?
Mr OBrien warned Newstalk Breakfast that the card will
require a quite large amount of data sharing between
government departments adding that under a 2015 ruling
from European Court of Justice, no personal data can be
shared between public bodies unless the citizen in question is
informed first.
"I'm not sure what the Government's difficulty is in enshrining
this in law, he said. But what they are trying to do is
introduce an umbrella data sharing bill to give state agencies
a carte blanche to share data on a broad basis.
"That's an attempt to get around the Data Protection Act
requirements under EU law.
"If the sharing is important and has a valid purpose - and is
valuable for the state and the citizen - then surely it should be
put on the strongest foundation possible by making sure it is
being done in the most transparent and appropriate way."
National security
In a statement this morning, Minister Donohoe claimed that
the ID cards are in the best interest of Irelands national
security.
"Government has an obligation to deploy the most robust
means of online and physical identity verification possible to
ensure that it is doing all it can to reduce fraud, impersonation
and the risk of identity theft in the delivery and accessing of
public services," he said.
The minister is hopeful he will be able to get his new Data
Sharing and Governance Bill passed this year before the EU
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force
in May 2018.
A draft version of the bill is due for debate in the Oireachtas
Committee on Finance tomorrow.
Mr OBrien said that done right, it could be a very good thing
but warned there is an incredible lack of controls and
transparency in the legislation as it stands.

You can listen back to Mr O'Brien's full appearance on

Newstalk Breakfast here:

http://www.newstalk.com/G
overnment-denies-attempt-
to-introduce-national-ID-
card-by-stealth
Minister says woman in
Public Services Card row
should be paid her pension
It's reported that the woman is owed in the region of 13,000
due to the dispute
23 Aug 2017
Stephen McNeice

NEWS

A Cabinet minister says the department of social

protection should pay a woman her pension, despite her
refusal to get a Public Services Card.
The woman in her 70s is believed to be owed in the region of
13,000 due to the dispute.
The Irish Times reports that the woman told officials she
would get the identity card if she was shown proof that the
card was 'mandatory' - but such proof has not been produced.
Cards have now been issued to more than 2.5 million Irish
citizens, and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe
has insisted it "is not and will not be" mandatory.
Privacy campaigners, meanwhile, have claimed that making
the card compulsory for any service would amount to the
introduction of "national ID card by stealth".
Michael Ring acknowledged there is confusion over how the
card is being used.
The Community and Rural Affairs Minister suggests the card
has been brought in for good reason, but clarity is needed on
how it's implemented.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Minister Ring said that while
he doesn't like speaking about individual case, he "would
hope that Social Protection would pay that woman".
He argued: "I know Social Protection have the Public Services
Card, and they're doing that for a very good reason. They're
doing that to protect taxpayers' money, and to put safety
checks in place.
"We have seen in the last number of years, the amount of
fraud that they have discovered in the Department of Social
Protection - and they're doing that in the best interests of the
country, the best interests of the department and the best
interests of the taxpayer."
He added: "The question mark is open whether [the cards] are
or they aren't [compulsory]."

http://www.newstalk.com/Mi
nister-says-woman-in-
Public-Services-Card-row-
should-be-paid-her-pension
Social Protection Minister Defends Public Services
Card Policy
25th August 2017
Minister Says Public Service Cards Are
Mandatory For Those Who Want To Claim
Money From The State.
08/25/2017

The Social Protection Minister says the new public services card isn't compulsory but it is
mandatory for those who wish to claim money from the government.

There's been confusion over whether the card is a requirement.

A woman in her 70's was refused 13,000 in pension payments over a period of 18 months
because she didn't want to sign up a card.
The card is not required by law, but government departments can ask that you produce it in
order to avail of their services.

Minister Regina Doherty has been explaining why her department requires claimants to have
the card

The Dept. of Social Protection has refused to pay a woman in her

seventies some 13,000 owed to her in the State pension.
The woman hasn't been issued with her payment for the last 18 months,
as she has refused to go through the registration process and obtain a
Public Services Card.
There's a wide disparity in the way in which government departments
view the card; some departments insist it's compulsory in order to gain
access to services, others do not require it.
Irish Times journalist, Elaine Edwards, who broke the story, spoke to
Laura Donnelly on this morning's edition of Kildare Today:
http://kildarenow.ie/news/25082017-1118/listen-minister-says-public-

service-cards-are-mandatory-those-who-want-claim

Social Protection
Minister Regina Doherty
defends controversial
public services ID card
The scheme has been slammed as 'effectively mandatory' and
lacking transparency
BYJAMES WARD
12:51, 25 AUG 2017
Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty T
The Government have been accused of introducing a
national identity card by the backdoor, without any legal
basis.
Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty took to the
airwaves today to defend the controversial public services
card, but struggled to explain how it is not mandatory.

Minister Doherty insisted nobody will drag you kicking

and screaming to get a card but admitted that it is
compulsory for those accessing public services such as
the dole and pension.

She also revealed that other Government departments

are set to make it mandatory, while it is already

required to apply for a provisional drivers license and

will soon be needed for passport applications too.

Ms Doherty said: Lets be very clear. Nobody is required by law to have a
card. So therefore it isnt compulsory.

She told Newstalk: For my department its mandatory and I know people
might say Im splitting hairs but actually because of the high value of the
public services that the department (gives out) - we give out over 20 billion
every year and actually it wasnt brought in by this government, the
legislation was brought in in 2005 so 12 years ago this has been in the
process.

We believe that its not too much to ask people to authenticate who you are
so that we can give you a fast and efficient public service to make sure you
get what youre entitled to. And thats all the SAFE (card registration) process
is.

So therefore, youre not obliged to have a card. Nobody will drag you kicking
and screaming to have a card.

Ms Doherty did not explain why valid passports or drivers licenses - which are
issued by the Government - are not an acceptable form of identification for
accessing public services.

Social Democrats TD Roisin Shorthall has slammed the scheme saying it

lacks transparency and threatens peoples rights.

She questioned the legislative basis for the card, with Ms Doherty already
having admitted that nobody is required by law to have the card.

Deputy Shorthall said: What we are seeing is the creeping introduction of a

mandatory ID card scheme by the back door.

This type of public administration by stealth lacks transparency, threatens

peoples rights, and is just not acceptable.

There has been absolutely no public debate or scrutiny on this issue which
fundamentally affects the privacy of every citizen in the State.

Where is the legislative basis for requiring people to have a Public Services
Card before they can access all public services including pensions?

We need to have a national debate on whether to introduce a national ID

card scheme, and if it was to be introduced there would have to be robust
safeguards in law in terms of what information can be collected, how is it
stored and accessed, as well as penalties for breaches of data protection
rules.

Liam Herrick, executive director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, said the
card was being made essential to access services that are essential for basic
human rights and participation in society.

He added: That makes it effectively mandatory.

The card scheme came in for renewed criticism this week after it emerged
that a woman in her 70s had her State pension cut off because she refused to
register for a card.

She has not been paid her pension for 18 months because she refused to go
through the registration and identity-verification process as requested by the
Department of Social Protection. As a result she is owed about 13,000.

http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/politics/regina-doherty-

national-id-card-11052496

ICCL in call for clarity

over Public Services
Card
Updated / Friday, 25 Aug 2017
A PSC is required to access Social Welfare Services, passports
and driver theory tests

The Irish Council of Civil Liberties has called for

clarification from the Government on whether a
Public Services Card (PSC) is the sole form of
acceptable identification to access a wide range of
services.
The card was introduced five years ago to replace
the old Social Services card to collect Social Welfare
payments and the Free Travel Pass.
ICCL Executive Director Liam Herrick said he has
written to Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe
outlining his concerns.
Mr Herrick said: "There is a material difference
between a voluntary card and mandatory card, which
we have never had."
He said a wide range of people are being contacted
persistently by the Department of Social Protection
and are being advised they have to apply for the
card.
"There is some ambiguity in the State agencies as to
whether this is mandatory or not.
"Members of the public are saying to us they are not
getting a clear answer. As well as not being told
whether its essential you apply or receive this card,
it's also not being made clear if alternative forms of
identification will still be acceptable.
"This is the key question again of mandatory or
voluntary".
Social Democrats co-leader Risn Shortall has
called for a public debate on the issue.

She said government agencies have refused to

provide pension payments or driver theory tests

without the PSC, which she described as a

"creeping introduction of a mandatory ID card

scheme by the back door".

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2017/0825/899911-public-

service-card-scheme/
The Majority of Irish aren't a bright lot at all. No wonder they fell for this trick.

You would believe any ould claptrap they tell you and you do it without question.

Even when you claim not to trust these politicians, you betray yourselves because you
actually do trust them otherwise you would be up in arms over the process by which they
introduced this card.

In the end you will do as you are told as you always do...

Even if it means giving up your rights..

Once all your bio-metric data on every single citizen is recorded via the National ID card
and then subsequently stored in a massive database...
What protections do we have that this private information won't be at risk? Who is
entrusted to protect it? Will it be sold off or handed to private companies? What about
sharing that private data? Who is responsible for ensuring that doesn't happen? Or is it
meant to be shared? If so, with whom is it shared?
Do you see why this is far more serious than just sticking a photo on a card and be done with it?
And what happens if the CIA get their hands on all our info which will be all in one handy
convenient database?
"The OTS (Office of Technical Services), a branch within the CIA, has a biometric collection
system that is provided to liaison services around the world with the expectation for sharing of
the biometric takes collected on the systems. But this voluntary sharing obviously does not work or
is considered insufficient by the CIA, because ExpressLane is a covert information collection tool
that is used by the CIA to secretly exfiltrate data collections from such systems provided to liaison
services."
They have already rifled through bio-metric databases in India.
"Aadhaar, the 12-digit number linked to the fingerprints and iris patterns of most Indians, the key to
unlocking government for the citizen, is a security nightmare in a world where big data and a
handful of global defence contractors control the technology for biometric solutions. "
https://series.fountainink.in/aadhaar-in-the-hand-of-spies/
Who is going to stop it happening here?

Today WikiLeaks published secret documents

from the ExpressLane project of the CIA.
These documents show one of the cyber
operations the CIA conducts against liaison
services which includes among many others
the National Security Agency (NSA), the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The OTS (Office of Technical Services), a
branch within the CIA, has a biometric
collection system that is provided to liaison
services around the world with the
expectation for sharing of the biometric takes
collected on the systems. But this voluntary
sharing obviously does not work or is
considered insufficient by the CIA,
because ExpressLane is a covert information
collection tool that is used by the CIA to
secretly exfiltrate data collections from such
systems provided to liaison services.
ExpressLane is installed and run with the
cover of upgrading the biometric software by
OTS agents that visit the liaison sites. Liaison
officers overseeing this procedure will remain
unsuspicious, as the data exfiltration disguises
behind a Windows installation splash screen.

The core components of the OTS system are

based on products from Cross Match, a US
company specializing in biometric software for
law enforcement and the Intelligence
Community. The company hit the headlines in
2011 when it was reported that the US
military used a Cross Match product to
identify Osama bin Laden during the
assassination operation in Pakistan.
Cross Match certified by
UIDAI
Cross Match was one of the first suppliers of
biometric devices certified by UIDAI for
Aadhaar program. The company received the
Certificate of Approval from the Indian
Government in 2011. Cross Match received the
Certificate of Approval for
its Guardian fingerprint capture device and
the I SCAN dual iris capture device on October
7, 2011. Both systems utilize Cross Matchs
patented Auto Capture feature, which quickly
captures high-quality images with minimal
operator involvement.
The Certificate of Approval, was issued after
completion of all tests required to demonstrate
compliance with the quality requirements of
UIDAI. The certification body consists of the
Standardization, Testing and Quality
Certification (STQC) Directorate for the
Government of Indias Department of
Information Technology (DIT) and the
UIDAI. The tests performed by the STQC
included the following criteria: Physical &
Dimensional, Image Quality, Environmental
(Durability/Climatic), Safety, EMI/EMC,
Security, Functional, Performance,
Interoperability, Ease of Use & Ergonomics.
How CIA agents can access #Aadhaar database via
@UIDAI certified company #CrossMatch #CIAadhaar
#RightToPrivacy https://t.co/N3ADEOggVy
Great Game India (@GreatGameIndia) August 24, 2017

Majority of the UIDAI certified enrollment

agencies use Cross Match devices across India.
Cross Match was also the first company to
receive the Provisional Certificate for use in
the UID program in September, 2010. Video
featuring the Cross Match Guardian and I
SCAN devices has been taken down from the
official UIDAI website.
Francisco Partners
In 2012, Francisco Partners acquired Cross
Match Technologies Inc. The company has
more than 5,000 customers worldwide and
over 250,000 products deployed in over 80
countries. Cross Matchs customers include the
U.S. Department of Defense, Department of
Homeland Security, U.S. State Department
and various state and local governments; as
well as numerous foreign governments and
law enforcement agencies. It also provides
biometric solutions to customers in
transportation, critical infrastructure, financial
services, education, and healthcare sectors.
One of Francisco Partners portfolio company
is an Israeli cyber weapons dealer called NSO
Group. The companys Pegasus iOS malware
was linked to attacks on iPhones of a
prominent UAE activist and a Mexican
journalist.
Researchers from the University of
Torontos Citizen Lab and mobile security firm
Lookout raised questions about the ethics of
NSO Group, a government spyware provider
founded by an alum of Israels vaunted
intelligence agencies. Francisco Partners
bought its stake in the company for $120
million in 2014. Citizen Lab uncovered NSOs
Pegasus malware targeting iPhones of a
Mexican journalist and a UAE activist. The
same day, FORBES reported that Francisco
Partners added Circles to its roster of
investments, another Israeli-founded
surveillance firm, which sold contentious gear
to hack a part of global telecoms
networks, known as SS7. That cost the private
equity firm $130 million, a source close to the
deal told FORBES.
Spying governments,
activists & journalists
Francisco Partners also ran Turkeys spy
operations by selling its deep packet
inspection product for surveillance. Deep
packet inspection enables surveillance at the
outset. Its very purpose is to open up packets
of data flying across networks and inspect
them to check if they should pass. DPI has
made headlines for controversial use cases.
China, for instance, likes to use DPI in its
infamous censorship and surveillance systems.
Sunnyvale, California-based Blue Coat
Systems, in which Francisco Partners was a
significant investor, saw its DPI technology
censoring the internet in Syria in 2011, just as
the civil war was erupting. Human rights
activists looked on agog, but Blue Coat
later said resellers were to blame and that it
had not given permission for the technology to
be shipped to the country. One reseller was
later slapped with a maximum fine of $2.8
million by the Bureau of Industry and Security
(BIS). (Francisco Partners also has stakes in
Barracuda Networks and Dell Software, which
both ship DPI products).
Aadhaars biometric
pioneer
The foundation of the Aadhaar program is
based on biometric and demographic data that
is unique to each citizen. This data can only be
collected by leveraging biometric devices and
compatible software the second and third
stages of the Aadhaar value chain.

Cross Matchs Indian partner for the UID

program is Smart Identity Devices Pvt. Ltd.
(Smart ID). Smart Identity Devices, or Smart
ID, has been the biometric pioneer and leader
for the Aadhaar program. Smart ID provides
biometric technology, smart card, and
information and communication technology
products and services for numerous sectors,
such as financial services, logistics,
government, and IT security. Launching
commercial operations in 2008, Smart ID is
based in Noida, India and is led by Sanjeev
Mathur. The companys devices are being used
by enrollment agencies across India for the
Aadhaar program.
ACCORDING TO A RECENT
STUDY BY RESEARCH AND
MARKETS, INDIAS
BIOMETRICS MARKET IS
FORECAST TO HIT ABOUT $2
BILLION BY 2018.
Smart IDs products and services range from
biometric products, to mobile application
solutions, to services such as Aadhaar
enrollment, training, project management, IT
hosting, and business correspondent
management. As of 2014, Smart ID was able to
carry out enrollment activities across India in
states such as, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Orissa,
Uttar Pradesh, West Bangal, and Madhya
Pradesh. Smart ID has already enrolled more
than 1.2 million citizens into the Aadhaar
program through its enrollment agencies. In
July 2011, the UIDAI recognized Smart ID as
being one of the three best enrollment
agencies in Aadhaar for enrolling more than
25 million citizens in a very short time frame.
The price of a Smart ID Patrol ID fingerprint
scanner was approximately $2300 in 2014.
And these devices were installed across the
country. It would be interesting to know how
much did the Indian government pay this CIA
front company for the exercise. Lets say UIDAI
installed 10,000 such bugged CIA devices
across the country for enrollment (which is a
very conservative estimate), the staggering
cost would be 1473554800 Rs.
How CIA agents can access
Aadhaar database in real-
time
A number of the CIAs electronic attack
methods are designed for physical proximity.
These attack methods are able to penetrate
high security networks that are disconnected
from the internet, such as police record
database. In these cases, a CIA officer, agent or
allied intelligence officer acting under
instructions, physically infiltrates the targeted
workplace. The attacker is provided with a
USB containing malware developed for the
CIA for this purpose, which is inserted into the
targeted computer. The attacker then infects
and exfiltrates data to removable media. For
example, the CIA attack system Fine Dining,
provides 24 decoy applications for CIA spies to
use. To witnesses, the spy appears to be
running a program showing videos (e.g VLC),
presenting slides (Prezi), playing a computer
game (Breakout2, 2048) or even running a
fake virus scanner (Kaspersky, McAfee,
Sophos). But while the decoy application is on
the screen, the underlaying system is
automatically infected and ransacked.
Fine Dining comes with a standardized
questionnaire i.e menu that CIA case officers
fill out. The questionnaire is used by the
agencys OSB (Operational Support Branch) to
transform the requests of case officers into
technical requirements for hacking attacks
(typically exfiltrating information from
computer systems) for specific operations. The
questionnaire allows the OSB to identify how
to adapt existing tools for the operation, and
communicate this to CIA malware
configuration staff. The OSB functions as the
interface between CIA operational staff and
the relevant technical support staff.
Among the list of possible targets of the
collection are Asset, Liason Asset, System
Administrator, Foreign Information
Operations, Foreign Intelligence Agencies
and Foreign Government Entities. Notably
absent is any reference to extremists or
transnational criminals. The Case Officer is
also asked to specify the environment of the
target like the type of computer, operating
system used, Internet connectivity and
installed anti-virus utilities (PSPs) as well as a
list of file types to be exfiltrated like Office
documents, audio, video, images or custom file
types. The menu also asks for information if
recurring access to the target is possible and
how long unobserved access to the computer
can be maintained. This information is used by
the CIAs JQJIMPROVISE software to
configure a set of CIA malware suited to the
specific needs of an operation.

Here is the official training manual that

contains the detailed steps for carrying out the
installation and configuration of Cross Match
for the Aadhaar Enrolment Client. This
manual also describes the process of importing
master data after downloading it from the
UIDAI Admin Portal.
It is remarkable that Aadhaar and Al-
Qaeda mean the same thing, which is
foundation Manu Joseph pointed
out this tweetable fact in his piece on
Live Mint. What we might add is that it
is also remarkable that both Aadhaar
and Al Qaeda are illegitimate sons of the
same mother!

NEW ID CARDS ALL PART

OF THE CASHLESS
SOCIETY FOLKS.
Mar 3, 2017
While everyone was distracted by Irish Water the previous government
managed to introduce a national ID card disguised as a social welfare
card.
In the near future people on social welfare will not be giving cash .
Their card will be loaded up like debit card and it will be the only way a
person will be allowed to pay for items with their social welfare
payment credit.

Any surplus on the card will be wiped off when the next payment is
applied, so it is will be up to SW recipients to insure they use up all the
credits on their card.

If you owe a fine it will be deducted from the amount on the card in
installments. If say you have outstanding motor tax it will be deducted
in installments at the the higher installment rate, INCLUDING
ARREARS.( Ref: Civil Debt Bill).

Also, cigarettes, alcohol, luxury goods will not be allowed to be

purchased on the card. If a person tries to buy a food item of higher
value and better quality the transaction will not be allowed to go ahead
if there is a cheaper and hence lower quality option available.

ALL PART OF THE CASHLESS SOCIETY FOLKS.

Womans pension cut after
she refuses to get public
services card
Pensioner in her 70s, who is owed 13,000, asks
department to prove card is mandatory

An example of the new public services card. Photograph: Bryan OBrien/The

Irish Times

Elaine Edwards
Updated: Tue, Aug 22, 2017, 06:59

A woman in her 70s has not been paid her State pension
for 18 months because she refused to register for a public
services card.
As a result, she is owed some 13,000.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, told The Irish
Times she felt bullied following several letters from the
Department of Social Protection inviting her to register.
Many public bodies have increasingly been using the card
to validate peoples identities for the purposes of
delivering services. About 2.75 million have been issued to
date but Ministers have insisted the card is not
compulsory.
However, civil rights groups have described it as a
national identity card by the back door.
The woman had told officials that she would get the card if
they could show her it was mandatory but nothing had
been produced to show her that this was the case.
She said when she first learned that she was entitled to a
non-contributory pension of 166 per week, as well as her
contributory pension, officials had called to her house to
verify her details, including her marriage certificate.
Related
Public services cards: the case for and against
Cutting womans pension over card outrageous, says
Age Action
TDs fear new data protection rules will hamper
constituency work
However, the department cut the non-contributory
pension off when she refused to register for the card. She
went through an appeals process in efforts to restore the
weekly payment but her appeal was declined.
She said she had also been told she would not be entitled
to back payments of the amount owed, even if she
registered at this point. The pension amounts to more
than 13,000 for about 80 weeks of non-payment.
She has recently contacted Minister for Social Protection
Regina Doherty to look into her case. The Ministers
constituency office said it could not discuss an individual
case.
Asked whether the card was now mandatory, the
Department of Social Protection said welfare legislation
required a person to satisfy the minister as to their
identity and allows disqualification from receipt of a
benefit in the event that it is not done.
It was not possible for a person to satisfy the minister as to
his or her identity without being registered in a process
which results in them being issued with a public services
card. The registration process is known as SAFE 2.
The Department of Social Protection makes it clear to
customers in receipt of social welfare payments that they
do need to register to SAFE 2 to access, or continue to
access, a social welfare entitlement, the department said.
It said the majority accepted the importance of, and need
for, the robust SAFE 2 identify verification process when
in receipt of a social welfare entitlement.
The decision to suspend or stop a payment is never made
lightly. However, where a customer does not satisfy the
Minister in relation to identity as required as per the
legislative requirements outlined above, a payment can be
stopped or suspended.
It said the appeals office operated independently of the
department.
The department said it did not collect data on the number
of individuals who had had payments suspended or
stopped by reason of failing to complete the registration
process. It was a matter for each public body how it
implemented the SAFE 2 standard for services.
In March last year, the card became a requirement for all
first-time passport applicants. It was introduced as a
requirement for applicants for citizenship in September
2016 and as a requirement for driver theory test applicants
last June.
It will shortly be required for all passport and driving
licence applications.
The total cost of the public services card project will have
reached about 60 million by the end of 2017.
The Government willget a 5 per cent discount on the
contract if more than three million cards are produced by
the end of this year.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/woman-s-pension-cut-after-
she-refuses-to-get-public-services-card-
1.3194216?mode=amp#.WZvcO6fA0QU.facebook

Public services cards: the

case for and against
Government argues they facilitate efficient delivery of
services, but not everyone is convinced
Wed, Aug 23, 2017, 01:00
0

Public services card

The project to develop the public services card was first

identified by the then government in 2004 as an
important component for modernising the delivery of
public services.
It aimed to create a standardised means of accessing
public services and for people to verify their identity. The
card was rolled out to replace existing cards, such as the
social welfare card and the free travel card.
A contract was signed with a supplier for the cards in
December 2009 at a fixed price of 19.7 million plus
VAT to produce three million cards by the end of 2013.
About 4,000 cards were issued in 2011 in a pilot project,
and the numbers have gradually increased as people
claiming various State benefits were registered to get
one.
The Department of Social Protection put in place 160
registration stations at 100 locations, each of them with
a capacity to handle 100 registrations per week.
Womans pension cut after she refuses to get public
services card
Cutting womans pension over card outrageous, says Age
Action
TDs fear new data protection rules will hamper
constituency work
The department has been issuing, on average, about
50,000 cards a month this year. It has a target of three
million in total by the end of 2017.
If it exceeds that quota, it will obtain a 5 per cent
discount on the total cost of the cards a cost per card of
4.38 for the standard card and 5.62 for the card with
the free travel access.
If it does not hit three million, the department will pay
the full cost of the cards. The total cost of the project will
be about 60 million up to the end of this year, after the
contract was revised on two occasions to accommodate
changes to the card and delays to the project.
In 2016 a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General
found there was no single business case set out for the
public services card project. Seamus McCarthy said no
comprehensive estimate of the total cost of the project
had been prepared and there had been no initial
assessment of the departments capacity to deliver the
project or a formal assessment of its risks.
Not compulsory
Earlier this year, the Government launched a public
information campaign urging all people to register for
the card in order to help them access public services
more efficiently. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe
said the card was not, and would not be, compulsory.
A key advantage, according to the departments driving
the project Social Protection, and Public Expenditure
and Reform is that the delivery of services is more
efficient when a persons identity does not have to be
authenticated at every transaction. They also believe the
card has already begun to reduce rates of fraud, forgery
and error.
State databases containing vast quantities of citizens
information are of concern from a fundamental rights
perspective, due to fears they may be hacked, sold or
otherwise abused for unintended purposes. Here, there
have been concerns about leaks of data from the
Department of Social Protection to private investigators.
Ireland, the UK and Denmark are the only
remaining European Union countries without
national ID cards. They are used
uncontroversially in other member states. There
have been various efforts to introduce
compulsory ID cards in Britain, but they have
been vigorously opposed by civil liberties
groups, including Liberty and an organisation
called No2ID.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-
affairs/public-services-cards-the-case-for-
and-against-1.3195028
TDs fear new data
protection rules will hamper
constituency work
Oireachtas members will still be entitled to access
electoral registers
Tue, Aug 22, 2017,

Leinster House: some Oireachtas members fear retention of routine queries of

a sensitive nature may be affected by the General Data Protection Regulation.
Stock photograph:
TDs and Senators are worried they will no longer be
allowed keep personal information on their constituents
when data protection changes come into effect next year.
Oireachtas members will still be entitled to access electoral
TDs and Senators are worried they will no longer be allowed keep personal
information on their constituents when data protection changes come into
effect next year.
With the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming
into force on May 25th, 2018, some Oireachtas members have said they fear
retention of routine queries of a sensitive nature may be affected.

The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has written to TDs and
Senators asking them to submit any queries through a dedicated email
address about how the GDPR will impact on their role.

Oireachtas members have until mid-September to submit their queries, after

which written guidance material on the GDPR will be finalised and distributed.

There is also concern among some Oireachtas members that the use of the
so-called marked register could be restricted when the new laws are in place.

Available to purchase for six months after every election, the marked register
records the names and address of those who have voted and those who have
not.

Hard copies are destroyed once six months have passed, but some political
parties and individual politicians have computerised the information to
maintain records stretching back over many elections.

Those who access the records must sign a declaration undertaking not to
process the information provided for any commercial, direct marketing, or any
other non-statutory purpose and to comply with the provisions of the Data
Protection Acts.

However, a spokeswoman for the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner

said existing provisions allowing for the public inspection of electoral records
would not appear to be in contravention of the new data protection laws,
when they come into effect.

The spokeswoman confirmed the Data Protection Commission was in a

consultation process with TDs and Senators and was seeking their input on
aspects of GDPR implementation where they required guidance.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/tds-
fear-new-data-protection-rules-will-hamper-
constituency-work-
1.3193728?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-
origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.co
m%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Ftds-fear-new-
data-protection-rules-will-hamper-
constituency-work-1.3193728

Fianna Fil frontbench TDs are open

to coalition with Sinn Fin

12 August 2017 Saturday

Statements by group of Deputies contrast with Michel Martins position on the
issue
Image: PA Archive/Press Association Images
Updated 9.30am
REPORTS SUGGESTING THAT Sinn Fin could enter a
coalition with Fianna Fil after the next general election
have been called nonsense by a Sinn Fin TD.
While Fianna Fil has also moved to dismiss such
speculation with the parliamentary partys chairman
Brendan Smith insisting it is settled on the issue of Sinn
Fin.
Yesterdays Irish Mail on Sunday quoted sources from Sinn
Fin as saying that Fianna Fil is the only party that they
could form a government with.
The paper quotes Fianna Fil TD Colm Keaveney as saying
he has an open mind on who forms a coalition, as long as
either Enda Kenny or Gerry Adams is willing to be Tnaiste.
His party colleague and chairman of the Public Accounts
Committee, John McGuinness, is quoted as saying policy
wont be a concern we can compromise on that if the
public votes in such a way that a coalition is feasible.

However, Sinn Fins Peadar Tibn, a TD for Meath West,

poured cold water on the idea, calling Fianna Fil toxic.
The report today is two parts fiction from the media and
one part wishful thinking by Fanna Fil. Needless to say the
story is nonsense.
Fianna Fil are a toxic brand, with toxic policies. Citizens
recognise their record of failure on water charges , housing,
public services and the economy and view them as
increasingly irrelevant.
It is clear that the people want real change; they want a
break from the failed politics of the past and want to end the
unfair Household Tax and Water Charges.
Sinn Fin will put our vision of a united, fair, prosperous
and progressive Ireland to the people north and south. It is
on that basis that we hope to win support and lead a
government of real change.
Responding later in the day, Smith said that while individual
TDs are free to express their views the parliamentary partys
view, agreed last July, is that the economic platform and
the behaviour of that organisation ruled them out as
potential partners for the Fianna Fil party.
Fianna Fil is a proudly pro-jobs, pro-enterprise, pro-
opportunity party that has always worked to develop social
cohesion and progress. Sinn Fins track record and stated
policy objectives flatly contradict all those basic tenets,
Smith said.
In addition, the behaviour of the party as it sought
to cover-up the sexual abuse crisis within its own
ranks and its increasingly anti-democratic agenda
within Dil ireann all confirm the judgement of
the Parliamentary Party when it ruled out Sinn Fin
as a potential partner.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish
-news/fianna-fil-frontbench-tds-are-open-
to-coalition-with-sinn-fin-
1.3184113?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-
origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.co
m%2Fnews%2Fireland%2Firish-
news%2Ffianna-f%25C3%25A1il-frontbench-
tds-are-open-to-coalition-with-sinn-
f%25C3%25A9in-1.3184113

Newton Emerson: the Nemesis of Sinn Fin

by Jude Collins on July 28, 2017

Below is a draft of a letter I sent to The Irish Times yesterday. I

cant think why they didnt print it.

Having trudged through yet another anaemic attack on Sinn Fin

(Bid to end Stormont stand-off should be taken seriously
Thursday 27 July 2017), Newton Emerson ends his column by
turning from Sinn Fin chairman Declan Kearney to aim his
blancmange fire at Michelle ONeill, demanding Is ONeill still a
serious person? His question appears to be prompted by her
insistence that an Irish Language Act must be guaranteed and
Arlene Foster must step side as First Minister while her role in the
RHI scandal is investigated, before a Stormont Executive can be
re-established.
An Irish Language Act, as Emerson knows, was promised in the St
Andrews Agreement of 2006. And in most other jurisdiction, a
Minister who initiated and presided over a flawed scheme
potentially costing the public half a billion pounds, amid
accusations of corruption, would not wait to be asked before
stepping aside temporarily. Michelle ONeill merely repeated what
has been Sinn Fins public position on both matters for months.
There was a time when Emerson was a witty commentator. Now
hes just a weak joke.

Providing_a_cross-border_civil_judicial_cooperation_framework

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi
le/639271/Providing_a_cross-border_civil_judicial_cooperation_framework.pdf

Undemocratic, unlawful and

discriminatory: civil liberties and race
relations groups slam Mets plan for
controversial facial recognition
technology at Notting Hill Carnival
16 August 2017

Civil liberties and race relations groups have demanded the Metropolitan Police Service abandon plans
to deploy cameras equipped with facial recognition technology at this months Notting Hill Carnival.

The coalition which includes Liberty, Privacy International, StopWatch and Black Lives Matter has
written to the Met, warning that scanning the faces of thousands of attendees and capturing their
images has no basis in law, could lead to discriminatory policing, and represents a gross violation
of carnival-goers privacy.

No law, no oversight
The police intend to monitor crowds at the Notting Hill Carnival using cameras equipped with facial
recognition technology.

The biometric software scans the faces of passers-by, creating maps of unique facial characteristics that
are as uniquely identifying as fingerprints. The scans will be measured and compared to images on an
unknown database, the origin of which has not been disclosed by the Metropolitan Police.

In todays letter, the concerned groups urge Commissioner Cressida Dick to scrap the plan,
highlighting:

The use of automated facial recognition in public spaces is a gross breach

of the right to privacy under the Human Rights Act.
Facial recognition technology is not governed by any law, and has never
been debated or scrutinised by Parliament. This raises an urgent
question as to the lawfulness of deploying it in public spaces.
There is no independent oversight of the Mets use of facial recognition.
There is an intolerable lack of transparency around its use. It is not
known how long captured images of innocent people are stored. Nor is it
known which databases they are matched against, whether they are
linked to social media accounts, or if the images are shared with anyone
else.
Research has shown that facial recognition algorithms can carry racial
biases which could inadvertently lead to discriminatory policing. The
FBIs software misidentifies people almost 15 per cent of the time and is
more likely to fail with black people and women. If the Mets software has
similar flaws, the risks of using it at Notting Hill Carnival are
unacceptable.

Martha Spurrier, Director of Liberty, said:

There are no laws, no rules and no oversight for facial recognition technology not to mention the
serious concerns about its accuracy. It is a shady enterprise neither our MPs nor the public have
consented to or know enough about.

There are significant doubts as to whether deploying this technology in public spaces can ever be
lawful especially without proper Parliamentary debate. The Met must urgently abandon its plans so
that the thousands of people hoping to enjoy the carnival weekend know their police force will protect
their human rights.

Contact the Liberty press office on 02073783656 / 07973831128 or pressoffice@liberty-human-

rights.org.uk

Notes to editors

The letter and full list of signatories can be found here.

Facial recognition technology was also trialled at Notting Hill Carnival in
2016, where it failed to identify anyone.

Potential for racial bias:

 Research has shown that facial recognition software can carry racial
accuracy biases.
In March 2017, the US Government Accountability Office found that facial
recognition algorithms used by the FBI are inaccurate almost 15 per cent
of the time and are more likely to misidentify female and black people.

Oversight:

There is no oversight of facial recognition - it is excluded from the remits

of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner and the Biometrics
Commissioner.
In 2015, the Science and Technology Committee recommended oversight
lay with the Biometrics Commissioner. The Government has not acted on
this suggestion.

The EU Data Retention Directive:

a case study in the legitimacy and
effectiveness of EU counter
terrorism policy
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2013
/dec/secile-data-retention-directive-
in-europe-a-case-study.pdf
Protests around
Parliament
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2017
/aug/uk-hoc-protests-around-
parliament.pdf
Open NGO Letter to EU Member States and
Institutions Regarding the Export of
Surveillance Equipment
July 2017
http://statewatch.org/news/2017/jul/e
u-ngo-letter-surveillance-tech-
exports.pdf

Minister says Public Services

Card is 'not compulsory but is
mandatory for services'
Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty says the card is mandatory
for her departments services.
August 25, 17

THE MINISTER FOR Social Protection Regina Doherty has

said that the Public Services Card (PSC) is not compulsory
but is mandatory to claim social welfare.
The minister was speaking as a number of stories have
emerged of people losing out on public services because they
do not have a card.
The is no legal requirement for Irish citizens to hold the card
and the government has denied that it is making the card
compulsory.
This is despite the card being a requirement for an
increasing number of functions including claiming social
welfare payments and applying for both a driving licence
and a passport.
Other identified targets of the card are for college grants and
some health services via a patient portal .
The card carries information such as an individuals name
and their PPS number.

A recent story in the Irish Times detailed how a pensioner in

her 70s is owed about 13,000 because she refused to
register for the card.
A parent whose autistic son was asked the get the card also
recently told TheJournal.ie that she felt it was being
enforced on them in other to obtain supports.

But speaking on Newstalk Breakfast today, the Social

Protection Minister denied that the card is compulsory.
Lets be very clear, nobody is required by law to have a
card, so therefore it isnt compulsory, she said.
But for my department its mandatory, and I know some
people might say Im splitting hairs. But actually because of
the high value of the public services that the Department of
Social Protection gives, we give out over 20 billion every
year.
We believe that its not too much to ask people to
authenticate who your are, so that we can give you fast and
efficient public service so that we get what youre entitled, to
and thats all this safe process is.
The Irish Council of Civil Liberties has expressed about the
use of the cards and some legal experts in the area have
stated that it equates to an identity card by stealth.

http://www.thejournal.ie/regina-doherty-public-services-card-3564489-
Aug2017/?utm_source=facebook_short
This PSC is a biometric ID card, despite what lies the government tells about it. It is
all but compulsory at the moment. Some OAPs have lost part of their pensions
because the wont sigh up to it.
The problem with this PSC is that it enables the government to bypass and ignore
the very stringent EU legislation on the protection of personal data.
It this card was in use at the time IW was looking for PPS numbers, they would have
found it easy to obtain from those with this card. In fact those with this card would
have known nothing about it.
EU legislation states that government depts may not share personal data between
depts, or any businesses without the express permission of the owner of that data.
There is also the constitutional issues involved surrounding ID cards being ignored
by passing this biometric ID card off as a PSC.

Any wonder people are suspicious of getting these cards when they are fed this bs
double speak!

Either the card is compulsory or it is not.

Just come out and tell us the reasons, tell people they have to get it and stop the
constant worrying about perception.
We need to know what our government stands for and plans to implement. Not
what they think we want to hear!!

Defination of mandatory:

required by law or mandate; compulsory.

Thanks for clearing that up minister!

Orwellian double speak

The big deal is that the government is sidestepping the legislature and essentially
mandating that everyone must have this identity card. Its a big shift in policy and
should at the least have a democratic mandate from the parliament.

I wish they would make up their minds ffs....

THE MINISTER FOR Social Protection Regina Doherty has said that the Public Services
Card (PSC) is not compulsory but is mandatory to claim social welfare.
Statewatch Briefing
ID Cards in the EU: Current state of play
http://www.statewatch.org/
analyses/no-107-national-
ID-cards-questionnaire.pdf
Identity cards are coming for us all - UK-Irish identification likely ... state of
play of implementation of ... (LIMITE EU doc

UK biometric ID card morphs into 30

'passport lite'
So what price the 93 passport?
By John Lettice 8 Jul 2005

The Home Office appears to have invented a 30 'Passport Lite' - possibly accidentally, given that a
severe decline in the numbers of people paying for the the full-price passport (which we can perhaps
now call the Passport World Traveller) would make its ID card costings looks even more implausible.
The existence or non-existence of 'Passport Lite' hinges on whether or not the UK ID card will be valid
as a document for international travel and, according to the Home office, it will be.

As we say, this could well be an accident, because although national ID cards are widely used as travel
documents within the EU and, therefore, there is no logical reason why a UK national ID card shouldn't
be valid in just the same way, the Government currently expects to receive 93 for ID card and
passport from around 80 per cent of the population. If large numbers of people felt they could manage
without full passports then this won't happen, because these people will only be paying 30.
Conspiracy theorists may conjure with the thought that this 30 'bargain' has been cooked up in order
to bolster crumbling support for ID cards, but we feel that would be a desperate measure too far.

In any event, the relevant text, in the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill, was probably drawn
up before the Government knew ID cards were in trouble. Section 25 of the Bill, Proof of Right of
Abode, amends the Immigration Act 1971's list of the documents that can be used as proof of right of
abode when entering the UK by adding "an ID card issued under the Identity Cards Act 2006
describing him as a British citizen."

Yes, we know, the Identity Cards Act 2006 does not currently exist, and this is further proof that the
Government regards Parliament as a tiresome formality, but this is established - press on. According to
the Home Office, under the 1971 Act, right of abode in the UK "means that you are entirely free from
United Kingdom immigration control. You do not need to obtain the permission of an immigration
officer to enter the United Kingdom..." but "you must prove your claim" by production of either a
passport describing you as as UK citizen or UK and Colonies citizen with right of abode, or a
certificate of entitlement. A certificate of entitlement, incidentally, is a sticker for putting in other kinds
of passport. The amendment in the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill simply adds the ID card
to the list, so as and when (or if) ID cards ship, whipping one out will provide sufficient evidence for
you to whip past UK immigration control.

There are some limitations, and some possibilities to consider. The new wording ought to mean that
you can enter the UK on a UK ID card, but your ability to use it as your sole travel document will
depend on whether other countries will let you enter or exit on it. There ought not to be much of a
problem with this in the EU, because in those cases where documentation is actually demanded
national ID cards are usually acceptable (and we've heard from one reader whose UK army ID card
was "accepted across Europe as a national ID card" which he could use at border control), but
elsewhere it may not be so easy. The US, however, would like to have the ability to read UK ID cards,
and for some reason we do seem usually to give them what they'd like. Which might have odd
implications.

If the US is going to read UK ID cards, it's mainly going to want to read them at border control, right?
The information on UK ID cards is going to be essentially the same as on UK biometric passports, with
the initial variation that the first generation of biometric passports will not include fingerprint.
Therefore, the ID card will be more likely to provide the US immigration authorities with the data it
wants than the earlier biometric passports. So the US ought to prefer an ID card over a passport.

This points us towards a logical conclusion. The US-G8-EU vision of the biometric future is of a world
where machine-read biometrics ID everybody. This requires, obviously, that everybody's readers read
everybody's cards, plus a level of compatibility between different countries' cards, and a level of data
interchange between countries. Now, if in that world everybody has interoperable ID cards and
everybody has readers that will read them, what's a passport for? It's only there because it's currently
the only single international standard for travel (which could change in the longer term), and in the UK,
in order to provide a fictional* justification for charging people shedloads of money.

Fortunately the brave new biometric world will never go fully live, and stands a pretty good chance of
crashing and burning before doing so as far as the EU and US are concerned. Nor does it seem
absolutely certain that the UK ID Cards Bill will even make it onto the statute book, never mind
actually work/ship. Nevertheless, the total demise of the UK scheme would not of itself turn the clock
back. Take the ID scheme out of the equation and we still have the US, the EU and the G8 committed
to widespread use of biometric ID. In the EU we will still have a biometric visa system (with
accompanying database and data exchange), biometric ID cards for resident non-EU nationals, and the
intent to produce an EU standard for biometric ID cards. Tony Blair regards biometric ID as inevitable,
and he should know, given that he's one of the ones who'll make it so, if they're not stopped.

* You may recall that last year, when the Home Office announced it would issue separate biometric ID
cards and biometric passports (which it was always going to do anyway), it claimed this was in
response to public demand. As we noted at the time, the public demand stemmed from the
Government's own dubious surveys and focus groups, and the results of these, published by the Home
Office alongside version one of the ID Cards Bill, actually showed that what the public (or what they
were passing off as the public) actually wanted was a combined passport and ID card. We seem to
recall also noting at the time that telling them where to shove their ID cards wasn't an available option.

http://www.theregister.co.u
k/2005/07/08/id_card_as_
passport/
UK-EU-BREXIT: Confidentiality and access to
documents Position paper
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2017/aug/uk-eu-
brexit-docs-access.pdf
UK-EU-IRELAND: British government proposals:
Northern Ireland and Ireland: Position paper

http://www.statewatch.org/news/2017/aug/uk-eu-
n-ireland-ireland.pdf
BLACK LIVES MATTER
US Government Accountability Office found that
facial recognition algorithms used by the FBI are
inaccurate almost 15 per cent of the time and are
more likely to misidentify female and black people.
http://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ir/2017/NIST.IR.
8173.pdf

Current and future

uses of biometric data
and technologies
There is no oversight of facial recognition - it is excluded from the
remits of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner and the
Biometrics Commissioner. In 2015, the Science and Technology
Committee recommended oversight lay with the Biometrics
Commissioner

https://publications.parliam
ent.uk/pa/cm201415/cmsele
ct/cmsctech/734/734.pdf

Womans pension cut after

she refuses to get public
services card
Pensioner in her 70s, who is owed 13,000, asks
department to prove card is mandatory
Tue, Aug 22, 2017,
Elaine Edwards
An example of the new public services card. Photograph: Bryan OBrien/The
A woman in her 70s has not been paid her State pension
for 18 months because she refused to register for a public
services card.
As a result, she is owed some 13,000.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, told The
Irish Times she felt bullied following several letters
from the Department of Social Protection inviting her to
register.
Many public bodies have increasingly been using the
card to validate peoples identities for the purposes of
delivering services. About 2.75 million have been issued
to date but Ministers have insisted the card is not
compulsory.
However, civil rights groups have described it as a
national identity card by the back door.
The woman had told officials that she would get the card
if they could show her it was mandatory but nothing
had been produced to show her that this was the case.
She said when she first learned that she was entitled to a
non-contributory pension of 166 per week, as well as
her contributory pension, officials had called to her
house to verify her details, including her marriage
certificate.
 Public services cards: the case for and against
Cutting womans pension over card outrageous, says Age
Action
TDs fear new data protection rules will hamper
constituency work
However, the department cut the non-contributory
pension off when she refused to register for the card. She
went through an appeals process in efforts to restore the
weekly payment but her appeal was declined.
She said she had also been told she would not be entitled
to back payments of the amount owed, even if she
registered at this point. The pension amounts to more
than 13,000 for about 80 weeks of non-payment.
She has recently contacted Minister for Social Protection
Regina Doherty to look into her case. The Ministers
constituency office said it could not discuss an individual
case.
Asked whether the card was now mandatory, the
Department of Social Protection said welfare legislation
required a person to satisfy the minister as to their
identity and allows disqualification from receipt of a
benefit in the event that it is not done.
It was not possible for a person to satisfy the minister as
to his or her identity without being registered in a
process which results in them being issued with a public
services card. The registration process is known as
SAFE 2.
The Department of Social Protection makes it clear to
customers in receipt of social welfare payments that they
do need to register to SAFE 2 to access, or continue to
access, a social welfare entitlement, the department
said.
It said the majority accepted the importance of, and
need for, the robust SAFE 2 identify verification process
when in receipt of a social welfare entitlement.
The decision to suspend or stop a payment is never
made lightly. However, where a customer does not
satisfy the Minister in relation to identity as required
as per the legislative requirements outlined above, a
payment can be stopped or suspended.
It said the appeals office operated independently of the
department.
The department said it did not collect data on the
number of individuals who had had payments
suspended or stopped by reason of failing to complete
the registration process. It was a matter for each public
body how it implemented the SAFE 2 standard for
services.
In March last year, the card became a requirement for all
first-time passport applicants. It was introduced as a
requirement for applicants for citizenship in September
2016 and as a requirement for driver theory test
applicants last June.
It will shortly be required for all passport and driving
licence applications.
The total cost of the public services card project will have
reached about 60 million by the end of 2017.
The Government willget a 5 per cent discount on the
contract if more than three million cards are produced
by the end of this year.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/woman-s-pension-cut-after-
she-refuses-to-get-public-services-card-1.3194216

Pretty soon you're going to

need this card to do a whole
load of important things in
Ireland - but why?
Applying for a passport and a drivers licence will soon require the
Public Services Card but thats only the beginning.
Jul 15th 2017, 12:05 AM 142,768 Views 167 Comments
Share3584 Tweet Email19

File photo: an example of Ireland's Public Services Card

IN LATE MAY, the Department of Public Expenditure and
Reform confirmed that, from 17 June and September
respectively, a Public Services Card (PSC) will be required
for Irish citizens to apply for a driver theory test or passport.
That confirmation on 22 May came two days after the
launch of Leo Varadkars Fine Gael leadership campaign, a
campaign which saw Public Expenditure Minister Paschal
Donohoe rubber-stamped as one of the now-Taoiseachs
closest allies in Government. It also led to accusations that
the State was attempting to introduce what is in effect a
national identity card by stealth.
For many, the announcement would be the first they had
even heard of the PSC. For others, who had been a recipient
of a welfare benefit at any time since its introduction in
2012, the card would be relatively familiar all such
payments at the Department of Social Protection have been
processed using the card since that time.
But passports and driving licences (applications for a licence
are set to require a PSC from early next year) are just the tip
of the iceberg. The Governments plan is to introduce the
card for a whole host of services as part of a grander
strategy. Donohoe, meanwhile, insists that despite the cards
rollout nearly across the board it will be in no way
mandatory to carry one.
But some people in Ireland remain unconvinced the cards
pending universality is even legal.
What is in store for the Irish public?
The reasons for the States urgency in wishing to expand
usage of the card appears to stem from two things a
government decision four years ago to expand the Public
Services Card as a means to access all appropriate public
services by 2016, and the pre-purchase of three million such
cards by Social Protection.

Follow

JenMurnaneOConnor @JenMurnaneOConn
Public Services Card (PSC) ID Policy - TheoryTest.ie -
The official RSA Driver Theory Test
http://
fb.me/3iIJnPizy

7:28 PM - Jun 14, 2017

Public Services Card (PSC) ID Policy - TheoryTest.ie - The

official RSA Driver Theory Test
From June 16th, any person sitting the Driver Theory Test will be
required to present a Public Services Card (PSC) at the Test
Centre as proof of ID.
theorytest.ie
Replies 2 2 Retweets 1 1 like
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Source: JenMurnaneOConnor/Twitter
Follow

Malaria Trump @ConorMurray_18

What on earth is a public services card and why do I need
one to do my theory test
6:42 PM - Jun 13, 2017
3 3 Replies 2 2 Retweets 2 2 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Source: Malaria Trump/Twitter

As of 11 May 2017, just under 2.6 million such cards had

been issued to citizens. We should not miss out on
relatively straightforward means to push towards that (three
million) figure, an OGCIO (Office of the Government Chief
Information Officer, the main data service of the
Government, and a subsidiary of Public Expenditure and
Reform) email from November 2016 states.
Should the three million figure not be reached by end 2017,
the cost of the unused cards becomes payable in full.
It may well be the case that between the driving licence and
passport initiatives, the Department of Social Protection
(the department which issues the cards) will meet that
target.
The reasoning behind moving to one-card-for-all-services
has its roots in modern-day best-data-practice (that is, as a
safeguard against identity theft) an integration of all
departments and services under one umbrella. Naturally,
however, possessing such a card means having your
personal data on the books of multiple government
departments.
Big Brother, by accident or design, but Big Brother
nonetheless.
As of late last year, various government departments were
surveyed as to how applicable the use of the PSC might be
concerning their services.
Passport and drivers licence applications have already been
announced, as previously mentioned, but other identified
targets according to documents released to TheJournal.ie
include:
The Revenue Commissioners, with the PSC
potentially used to access online tax services
Education SUSI online college grants (from
April 2018), school transport services, Solas course
referrals, online teacher services
Transport Motor tax, change of car ownership
Agriculture access to agfood.ie
Department of Justice the national age card
Health Plans to authenticate patients identities
via a patient portal and the PSC by 2018
Prison services visitors to be required to carry
PSC as ID currently on trial at Midlands Prison
Portlaoise
Such changes may take time, but the fact remains that the
use of a Public Services Card to access multiple, crucial State
services is very close to being a reality. Which somewhat
gives the lie to the idea that possessing one will not be
compulsory.
Or, whats a public services card and why do I need one?
as an acquaintance who recently went to renew her drivers
licence told TheJournal.ie.
Cross-department cooperation
The various departments and state bodies involved in the
project to make various state services available only with a
Public Services Card have not always seen eye-to-eye,
meanwhile.
However, such differences tend to be the result of conflicts
arising over how best to implement the changes needed to
roll out the card, according to documents released to
TheJournal.ie under Freedom of Information by the
Department of Public Expenditure.

Those kinds of conflict are perhaps understandable given

the large-scale nature of a project involving so many
disparate people and agencies.
No issue seems to exist for the various departments
regarding the statutory nature, or legal standing, however of
the card itself.
The main issues seen have been between the Departments of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Public Expenditure and Reform,
and relate to when the announcement regarding the need for
a PSC in order to book a driving test or renew a passport
should be made, with residual concerns over our previous
experiences with DFA expressed by one Social Protection
employee.
Foreign Affairs chief concern regarding the card was the
possibility that requiring it would create an enormous
backlog in passport-applications (an eventuality that has
already come to pass via Brexit), with the situation further
complicated by that Departments announcement of a new
online-renewal system for passports in March of this year.
The released documents show that, rather than late May as
eventually transpired, Donohoe was initially slated to make
his announcement regarding the PSC expansion on 20
March.
Whispers from Foreign Affairs meanwhile suggest that the
leaking of the plans for the Public Services Card in May was
Donohoe doing a solo run.
Legal basis
Strife between civil service factions aside, when queried by a
journalist in early May as to the legal standing of the
Government requesting that applicants for the driver theory
test have a Public Services Card, Public Expenditures
response was that the issue is a State requirement.
You might note that the use of the Public Service Card for
access to public services is a Government Decision, one
Department civil servant said by email to a Road Safety
Authority (RSA) employee who had queried as to how best
to answer the media request.
TJ McIntyre
Source: Rollingnews.ie
The (card) is seen as an important step in increasing the
protection of personal data and data subject rights.
The State requirement in question pertains to the creation of
MyGovId, an online identity to match a citizens real world
identity based upon the Public Services Card (at present
MyGovId, which was launched in late March, is only
applicable online to Welfare services).
But the legality of the blanket-requirement for a the card is
categorically disputed by online data activists Digital Rights
Ireland (DRI).
Our position would be that the Public Services Card has
been introduced as an identity card by stealth, and that it
isnt allowed by law, says chair of DRI, law lecturer TJ
McIntyre.
The Government signed a contract to manufacture these ID
cards, and now its engaged in a mad push to meet the terms
of an ill-advised contract.
So the public is having as many of these cards as can be
mustered foisted upon them. And thats irrespective of the
fact that the population doesnt want them.
McIntyre and director of Data Compliance Europe Simon
McGarr recently appeared before the Oireachtas Justice
Committee to discuss the nature of the Governments draft
2017 Data Protection Bill.
In front of that committee, McGarr posited that the Public
Services Card does have a great deal of the appearance of a
national ID card scheme in its scope.
Much of his testimony stemmed from the 2015 Bara
judgement of the EU Court of Justice, which ruled that the
Romanian government had acted illegally with respect to
one of its citizens personal data by moving it between state
bodies (Romanias equivalent of Social Protection and the
Revenue Commissioners in that case) without first asking
permission.
The State has taken many concrete steps in recent years to
build not merely an ID database of which the Public Services
Card is the physical manifestation but also a series of
national databases intending to capture not merely all
citizens data but also data on people travelling through the
State, McGarr said.
On each occasion that these steps have been taken,
provision has been made to take the data which has been
collected from individuals by other agencies for other
purposes and apply it to this new purpose, this data-sharing
between bodies.
It seems to me that there has still been executive
reluctance to absorb fully the lessons of what European law
states on the limits of state data-sharing, he added.
In reaction, Independent TD Clare Daly summarised
McGarrs statements as suggesting that Ireland is on a
collision course and out of kilter with Europe on some of
these (data protection) issues.
McGarr acknowledged that was indeed his opinion.
This would seem to suggest that Ireland may integrate the
Public Services Card across its State functions, but the EU
may be far less enthused about any data-sharing between
public bodies.
And with one integrated card, how can such data sharing
even be avoided?
The legal quagmire for the Public Services Card may just be
beginning.

http://www.thejournal.ie/public-services-card-3496359-Jul2017/

I don't see my child as a

beggar': Mother questions why
son with Down Syndrome has
to get a PSC
Dublin woman Carol Brady says the decision on whether or not to get a
card is not one her son should have been expected to make.
August 24, 17

The Public Services Card

THE MOTHER OF a man with Down Syndrome has said
that the government asking him to register for a Public
Services Card (PSC) is a situation he should not have been
put in.
Dublin woman Carol Bradys 29-year-old son was recently
issued a letter by the Department of Social Protection
requesting his presence at an appointment to register him
for the card.
The PSC has been in existence since 2012, and was hitherto
primarily used for access to welfare services. In the past
year, however, the government has advanced plans to make
the card compulsory for many public service functions,
including applying for both a driving licence and passport.
Critics of the plan have described it as the introduction of a
national identity card by stealth, while the seemingly
shaky legal basis for the card has been called into question
by privacy experts like solicitor Simon McGarr of online data
activists Digital Rights Ireland (DRI).
For Carols son, the PSC would take the place of his current
travel pass, amongst other things.
Really, we feel we dont have a choice, Carol
tells TheJournal.ie.
My son has been on disability for years, he attends a day
centre and relies on his disability payment he has to pay
for everything at the centre.
The letter (sent in early August) was addressed to him, but
he wouldnt have the mental capacity to read or understand
it. Its me who has to make the decision.
Earlier this week, the Irish Times reported that an elderly
Irish woman had seen her pension denied to her because she
refused to sign up for a PSC. Meanwhile, Minister for Public
Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has insisted that the card is
not mandatory.
Its not my son doing this, its me, says Carol. Theyre
looking for a passport and a utility bill theres no way he
would have one of those. He wouldnt even be able to read
the letter. He has limited skills and an intellectual
disability.
The letter issued to Carol's son by the Department of Social Protection
Click here to view a larger image
They want his phone number but I wont give it to them.
Simple as. Because if they start phoning him he wont
understand.
I hate the thought of having to do this as he wont
understand. And personally I dont agree with it at all
because it just amounts to an ID card.
Carol bemoans both the fact that the new card will bear her
sons PPS number, and the way it will supersede his current
travel pass.

Travel pass
Hell need this card with him every time he wants to travel.
My concern would be that he has lost his pass numerous
times. And this thing will have his PPS number on it. What if
he loses it? It will take away his independence, she says.
But we have to go and do this because if we dont theyll cut
off his payments. Ill be very interested to see how theyre
going to deal with him. Between this and the pensioner who
had her payments cut, its a form of bullying.
It just doesnt feel very nice, it makes you feel like some kind
of beggar. Well I dont see either myself or my child as
beggars.
Read More: Pretty soon youre
going to need this card to do a whole
load of important things in Ireland
but why?
Im making this decision reluctantly. Its not a decision I
agree with or am in favour of. Like where is this information
going? How will my sons data be used, or abused? Carol
adds. They say its not compulsory, well I intend to ask
them how it isnt.
In response to a request for comment on the matter, a
spokesperson for the Department of Social Protection said it
is unable to comment on individual cases.
The Department has been writing to its customers advising
them of the need to get the new free travel card, describing
the registration process, inquiring firstly as to their ability
to attend the face-to-face PSC registrations process, and
asking if they have special requirements, they continued.
Customers are being asked to contact the Department in this
regard in the first instance to advise of their particular
circumstances so that the Department can make the
necessary accommodations required to help customers
undertake the process.
Personally I think its an identity card, but snuck in through
the back door, says Carol.
There was never really any Dil discussion on it, and theyre
still denying its an ID card, but thats what it is.
The PSC or its free travel variant is not a National ID Card
as it doesnt bear any of the characteristics of such a card, is
Social Protections response to this contention.
Ratifying the Convention
Carol has another take on her son being required to get a
PSC.
This is an identity card as far as Im concerned, so will it
give my son an actual identity? she asks. Because I feel
hes had no rights or identity of his own since the day he was
born.
A recent article for TheJournal.ie by Tom Clonan, himself
father to a son living with disabilities, called on the
government to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of
People with Disabilities. At present, Ireland is the only EU
member to have failed to do so.
I fully support Tom Clonan on this. The fact is our children
have no rights. Im an older parent. Im thinking: who will
look after my son when Im gone? Who will make these
decisions for him then?
This brings up more concerns than just an identity card it
raises the matter of identity. Will it give my son the rights
hes entitled to? she adds.
Carol believes that Ireland hasnt ratified the Convention
because if they do it means they have to deliver on it.
If you speak to anyone with a child with disabilities in this
country, youd see that their rights are their chief concern,
she says.
In this country we rely on charity and goodwill for the good
of our children. But if my child has an identity card, will he
now have rights?
http://www.thejournal.ie/disabilities-public-services-card-carol-brady-
3561359-Aug2017/
The 60 million Euro question. Why do we allow this?
Seems this post was taking down from the page I wonder why
They knew about it all the time and still refused to use it as their defense in the Injunction cases??

The Public Services Card- An ID

database and ID card
Simon McGarr

There is an excellent article by Elaine Edwards online (but

not in the paper) regarding a pensioner whose pension
payments have been stopped because she declined to
submit to the biometric scanning and so on involved in
being given an Public Services Card.
This card has been, to be charitable, inaccurately referred
to as voluntary by Minister Pascal Donoghue.
However, if you dont agree to submit to the carding
process (which involves a biometric scan of your face, as
well as a system to associate that ID record with your
mobile phone) you currently can have any and all your
social welfare payments (pension, free travel, childrens
allowance, maternity benefit, paternity benefit) cut off.
In addition, you cannot get a new driving licence, you
cannot get a replacement passport if it has been lost or
stolen, you cannot get your first passport or be made a
citizen.
Thats the list of consequences for not volunteering so far.
You can read the ambitious list of planned uses on the
Departments own website. Ive reproduced it below, for
ease of reference. Heres an excellent piece by Loughlin
ONolan and Elaine Edwards on just how voluntary this
system is.
So, what we have here is a national ID card system which
has never been debated by the Oireachtas, isnt based on
any primary legislation and has been introduced (where
there is any legal justification for it cited at all) by wilfully
forcing a new interpretation onto old legislation.
The Legal Basis that wasnt there
Id like to just rattle through some of that claimed legal
justification, simply to demonstrate how shaky it is.
Anyone who has read my previous pieces on the Health
Identifiers Act 2014 and the Primary Online Database may
notice some familiar themes emerging.
Heres what the Department of Social Welfare cites as the
legal basis for cutting off the pensions of old ladies who
refuse to comply with the demand they get an ID card:
The Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended,
viz.
Section 247C(1) of the Act provides that the Minister
may require any person receiving a benefit to satisfy the
Minister as to his or her identity;
Section 247C(2) of the Act specifies the consequences
of failure to satisfy the Minister in relation to identity as
required, specifically that a person shall be disqualified
from receiving a benefit;
Section 247C(3) of the Act specifies the manner in
which the Minister may be so satisfied; in effect, this
Section describes the process for registering a persons
identity
The first two of those provisions simply say that a person
who refuses to satisfy the Minister as to his or her identity
may have their payments stopped until their identity has
been confirmed. This is a completely reasonable and
laudable requirement, necessary to make sure money is
going to the right person.
But here, the Department hasnt said that the lady whose
pension theyve stopped isnt who she says she is.
Theyre not denying her identity at all- they know who she
is. An official even visited her at her house and was shown
her marriage cert. The lady has produced her passport-
the document which Ireland expects every other country in
the world to be an acceptable proof of identity at their
borders.
Again, they know who she is. Thats not why theyve cut
her off. Theyve stopped her pension because she refuses
to comply with the biometric carding process.
And for that, theyre relying on Section 247C(3) of the
Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. The actual
provision was only brought in in 2013 in the Social Welfare
and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013
The problem for the Department is that, though Section
247C(3) describes a visit to a Social Welfare office,
showing some documents and having your picture taken
and giving a copy of your signature as being the Ministers
preferred method of you proving who you are, it doesnt
say that the purpose of doing so is to have your data
entered onto the national Public Services Card register,
with all the subsequent data sharing and processing that
involves.
The Act sets out, in a clause not cited by the Department,
that this attendance and these records can only be
lawfully used for one purpose. Section 247C(1):
to satisfy the Minister as to his or her identity
Once thats done, there is no lawful basis for any further
use of that data. No legislative requirement to be placed
on an ID register. No basis for sharing the data collected
with other government agencies (as envisioned by Section
8 of the Health Identifiers Act, for example).
Joan Burton, when she was Minister for Social Protection,
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2014/act/15/enacted/en/p
df
Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 2013

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/act/20/enacted/en/p
df

acknowledged that building an ID database was

something which couldnt simply be treated as an
administrative act. It has serious and permanent
consequences for the relationship between the citizen and
the state.
The question of the introduction or otherwise of a national
identity card was not part of SAFEs remit. The matter of
establishing a national identity index and producing a
national identity card is a wider issue. It would require due
consideration by the appropriate agencies before any
policy decisions could be formulated by Government and
would require the development and implementation of
legislation to support any such policy. (source)
Now, you can issue a person with an ID card without a
legal basis, if they consent to it. Of course you can. The
problem is, in order for that consent to be valid under EU
law, it cant have been compelled. It cant have been
extracted on pain of penury at the loss of your pension, of
the child benefit you rely on or your unemployment
benefit.
And a person cant give consent if they havent been
clearly told to what purposes the data they are agreeing to
hand over will be put.
Until we have a full and open debate on the merits of a
national ID card (and the identity index database those
cards extend from) we cannot decide if we are happy with
the consequences of such a plan or (as happened in the
UK) whether we decide it is a dangerous and illiberal step.
If the Government wants to legislate for an ID card, let it
first propose the plan and see it through the Oireachtas.
Personal data is legitimately gathered and used by the
state on the basis that it is a safe guardian of citizens
fundamental data and privacy rights. Without trust that the
state will do the right thing, the legitimacy of that collection
breaks down.
If the state wont even admit to what it is doing, how does
it expect citizens to trust that it will do the right thing?

Roadmap for mandatory

requirements for the Public
Services Card
http://www.mcgarrsolicitors.ie/2017/
08/23/public-services-card-id-
database-id-card/amp/
Department of Social Protection
National Identity Card
All Written Answers on 8 Jul 2015
Previous answer
Next answer

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) Link to this: Individually | In

context | Oireachtas source
56. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will
introduce a national identity card which can be managed by
generating a unique national identity code for every citizen
by using a computerised binary system numerical code,
which would virtually eliminate errors or mismatches when
it comes to identifying persons on different databases; and
if she will make a statement on the matter. [27896/15]

Joan Burton (Minister, Department of Social Protection; Dublin West,

Labour) Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Department of Social Protection has developed, in
conjunction with a number of other Government Departments, a
rules based standard for establishing and authenticating an
individuals identity for the purposes of access to public services.
This programme of work, which is known as Standard
Authentication Framework Environment, or SAFE for short, also
provided for the introduction of a Public Services Card (PSC) to
enable individuals to gain access to public services more
efficiently and with a minimum of duplication of effort, while at
the same time preserving their privacy to the maximum extent
possible.
The PSC is designed to replace other cards within the public
sector such as the social services card and free travel pass of the
Department, and to make it easy for providers of public services
to verify the identity of customers. A PSC is currently issued
following a registration process which involves the capture of an
individuals photograph and signature and the verification of
identity data. The PSC facilitates and enhances the utilisation of
the PPS Number which is the individuals unique reference
number for all dealings with Government Departments and public
bodies. Section 262 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act
2005 provides the basis for the allocation, use and sharing of the
PPS Number. Considerable progress has been made in the roll
out of the PSC. Up to the end of June 2015, over 1.44 million
cards were issued including over 458,000 Free Travel variants.
The question of the introduction or otherwise of a national
identity card was not part of SAFEs remit. The matter of
establishing a national identity index and producing a national
identity card is a wider issue. It would require due consideration
by the appropriate agencies before any policy decisions could be
formulated by Government and would require the development
and implementation of legislation to support any such policy.
Development of policy in this area would be led by the Minister
for Justice and I am not aware of any current plans for her to do
so.
https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2015-07-08a.138

Adults urged to sign up

for Public Services
Card
Wednesday, 10 Aug 2016

PSC is designed to help people access a range of government

services and cut down on fraud

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has

urged people who have not yet signed up for a Public
Services Card to do so.
The card is designed to assist people aged 18 and
over in accessing a range of government services
and to cut down on fraud.
It was introduced in 2012 for people claiming social
welfare payments and State pensions.
The scheme is being expanded to include other
services and Minister Paschal Donohoe urged people
to sign up.
He said the end goal is to get three million cards
issued.
View image on Twitter
Follow

Conor Hunt @conorfhunt

Min @Paschald (left)urges more people to sign up to
Public Services Card says it's not a national ID card by
stealth
12:58 PM - Aug 10, 2016
1 1 Reply 1 1 Retweet likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
He defended the overall cost of the scheme and
rejected criticism from privacy advocates who say the
card is a national identity card by stealth.
The minister said it is not mandatory to carry the card
so it cannot be considered as a national identification
card.
12,000 people are signing up every week, he said,
adding that privacy is preserved to the maximum
extent possible.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0810/808254-public-service-card/
Min @Paschald (left)urges more people to sign up to Public
Services Card says it's not a national ID card by stealth

What is a Public Services

Card and do I need one?
Minister Paschal Donohoe is urging anyone over 18 who has
not signed up for one to do so
10 Aug 2016

NEWS

The Public Services Card was introduced by the

Department of Social Protection in 2012 to allow for
easier access to public services.
It was designed to replace the Social Services Card, used to
collect social welfare payments and for the Free Travel Pass.
Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Paschal Donohoe is
now calling on anyone over the age of 18 who has not yet
signed up for a Public Services Card (PSC) to do so. He was
speaking in Dublin today as he signed up for his own PSC.
What is the card for?
The card is designed to assist people in accessing a range of
Government services, and will become the means by which
access to public services will be verified and delivered in
Ireland.
Minister Donohoe said the technology contained within the
card should make it harder for people to use false identities or
make multiple benefit claims.
He also said the card will enable the State to provide better
public services at reduced cost to taxpayer.
If this card has been around since 2012, why is it
important now?
When the Public Services Card was launched it initially
focused on social welfare payments such as Child and
Jobseekers Benefit, as well as the Free Travel Pass and
State pensions.
However, it is now being rolled out to other public services -
and anyone over the age of 18 can sign up for the card.
Is it a National Identity Card?
Minister Donohoe has said it is not a national ID card because
you are not required to carry it with you at all times.
So, why do I need to get one?
You need a PSC if you want to access certain public services
such as social welfare payments, free travel passes or apply
for a new passport.
Can I get a passport without having a Public Services
Card?
If you are renewing your existing passport then you do not
need a PSC, as your current passport and other ID is
appropriate.
The card only applies to all first-time passport applicants aged
18 and above who are resident in Ireland, with effect from
March 29th 2016.
This requirement also applies to a small number of adult
passport applicants whose last passport was issued before
January 1st 2005 and has since been reported lost, stolen or
damaged.
How much does the card cost?
The Public Services Card is issued free of charge.
How can I get one?
If you are over 18 and have not yet signed up for a Public
Services Card, you can do so today by making an
appointment on mywelfare.ie or by calling into your local
Social Welfare office.
Application for the card is done via face-to-face
registration using 'SAFE', what does this mean?
SAFE stands for Standard Authentication Framework
Environment.
At SAFE registration, a person's photograph and signature are
digitally recorded and answers to some basic security
questions are also captured.
Customer mobile phone details are verified to enable future
online access to mygovID.ie
Why do they need all this information?
The purpose of the card was to come up with a single way for
citizens to access public services without having to give the
same information to multiple organisations.
The SAFE authenticated data facilitates this by establishing
and verifying an individual's identity for future access to public
services.
The department has said this will not only benefit the public,
but also allow public sector organisations to operate more
efficiently.
The photo-matching software has already led to success in
tackling multiple claims fraud and has resulted in a number of
convictions in court.
http://www.newstalk.com/What-is-a-Public-Services-Card-and-do-I-need-one

Minister says woman in Public

Services Card row should be paid her
pension
23 Aug 2017
It's reported that the woman is owed in the region of 13,000 due to the dispute
A Cabinet minister says the department of social protection should pay a
woman her pension, despite her refusal to get a Public Services Card.
The woman in her 70s is believed to be owed in the region of 13,000 due to the
dispute.
The Irish Times reports that the woman told officials she would get the identity
card if she was shown proof that the card was 'mandatory' - but such proof has
not been produced.
Cards have now been issued to more than 2.5 million Irish citizens, and Public
Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has insisted it "is not and will not be"
mandatory.
Privacy campaigners, meanwhile, have claimed that making the card compulsory
for any service would amount to the introduction of "national ID card by stealth".
Michael Ring acknowledged there is confusion over how the card is being used.
The Community and Rural Affairs Minister suggests the card has been brought in
for good reason, but clarity is needed on how it's implemented.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Minister Ring said that while he doesn't like
speaking about individual case, he "would hope that Social Protection would pay
that woman".
He argued: "I know Social Protection have the Public Services Card, and they're
doing that for a very good reason. They're doing that to protect taxpayers' money,
and to put safety checks in place.
"We have seen in the last number of years, the amount of fraud that they have
discovered in the Department of Social Protection - and they're doing that in the
best interests of the country, the best interests of the department and the best
interests of the taxpayer."
He added: "The question mark is open whether [the cards] are or they aren't
[compulsory]."

Government denies attempt

to introduce national ID card
by stealth"
A new plan will make it mandatory for anyone applying for a
passport to first obtain a Public Services Card
NEWS

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe,

TD, at the Public Services Card Centre, D'Olier House in Dublin,
10-10-2016. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews
22 May 2017
Michael Staines

The Government has denied claims it is attempting to

make it compulsory for citizens to have a Public Services
Card despite the fact that it will soon be required to
apply for a passport.
Privacy campaigners have claimed the plan to make the card
compulsory for anyone applying for a drivers licence or
passport amounts to the introduction of national ID card by
stealth.
The passport application requirement is set to be introduced in
the autumn, while applicants for drivers licences will need to
have one by next year.
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has insisted it
is not and will not be mandatory to have a PSC card but
Daragh OBrien, managing director of Castlebridge Data
Protection and Data Governance is not convinced:

If you require it in order to get a drivers licence in order to get to work, or to get a
passport in order to go on holidays with your family, then it is mandatory even if
the state is saying otherwise, he said.
He told Newstalk Breakfast that while he can see benefits to a national ID card
system, it cannot be introduced by stealth, without appropriate debate and
transparency.
The PSC card was rolled out in on a pilot basis in 2011.
It was initially issued to social welfare recipients with the Department of Social
Protection threatening anyone who refused to obtain the card with a suspension
of payment.
The card has now been issued to over 2.5 million Irish citizens.

Tool of petty harassment

The head of civil liberties group Digital Rights Ireland, TJ McIntyre, told The Pat
Kenny Show that he has concerns over the manner in which the card is now
being rolled out to the rest of the population.
People have been apparently, in some cases, randomly required to register even
though they are not within the formal schemes that require people to register, he
said.
In other cases, perversely they have been sending out cards to people who
havent applied for them and dont want them.
While many European countries require their citizens to carry a mandatory
national ID card, Mr McIntyre warned that they have the "potential to be used a
tool of petty harassment."
In France as a middle-aged white man, you might find it slightly easier to move
around and not be asked for your ID that much, he said.
As a young black or Arab man in the Parisien Banlieu you might find yourself
asked for ID in a slightly more harassing manner more often by police.
You can listen back to Mr McIntyre's conversation with Pat Kenny here:
Mr OBrien warned Newstalk Breakfast that the card will require a quite large
amount of data sharing between government departments adding that under a
2015 ruling from European Court of Justice, no personal data can be shared
between public bodies unless the citizen in question is informed first.
"I'm not sure what the Government's difficulty is in enshrining this in law, he said.
But what they are trying to do is introduce an umbrella data sharing bill to give
state agencies a carte blanche to share data on a broad basis.
"That's an attempt to get around the Data Protection Act requirements under EU
law.
"If the sharing is important and has a valid purpose - and is valuable for the state
and the citizen - then surely it should be put on the strongest foundation possible
by making sure it is being done in the most transparent and appropriate way."

National security
In a statement this morning, Minister Donohoe claimed that the ID cards are in
the best interest of Irelands national security.
"Government has an obligation to deploy the most robust means of online and
physical identity verification possible to ensure that it is doing all it can to reduce
fraud, impersonation and the risk of identity theft in the delivery and accessing of
public services," he said.
The minister is hopeful he will be able to get his new Data Sharing and
Governance Bill passed this year before the EU General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR) comes into force in May 2018.
A draft version of the bill is due for debate in the Oireachtas Committee on
Finance tomorrow.
Mr OBrien said that done right, it could be a very good thing but warned there is
an incredible lack of controls and transparency in the legislation as it stands.
You can listen back to Mr O'Brien's full appearance on Newstalk Breakfast
http://www.newstalk.com/Government-denies-attempt-to-introduce-national-
ID-card-by-stealth
Court of Justice of the European ... for private life and to the protection of
personal data, ... The Court observes first of all that the data to be retained ...
The Court of Justice declares the Data Retention D irective to be invalid It
entails a wide - ranging and particularly serious interference with the
fundamental rights to respect for private life and to the protection of personal
data, without that interference being limited to what is strictly necessary
https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2014-
04/cp140054en.pdf
EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE'S ... TRANSFER OF PERSONAL NAME RECORD
DATA, ... two suits in the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Parliament's first
case
http://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1598&context=ilsajourn
al

When living or travelling outside the EU, you might sometimes need help from your embassy or
consulate, e.g. in case you have lost all your belongings or have been victim of a crime.

But what happens if your country has no diplomatic or consular representation in the country where
you are?

Under EU law, as an "unrepresented EU citizen", you're entitled to help from any other EU Member
State's embassy or consulate - under the same conditions as this EU country helps its own nationals.

This website aims to provide you with general information about the right of unrepresented EU citizens
to consular protection in third countries under the same conditions as the nationals of that EU country.
It also helps you to find out whether your national state has an embassy or consulate in a given third
country or territory. If you do not have an embassy or consulate in the country or territory where you
are, it provides you with the contact details of embassies and consulates of other Member States that
you might wish to contact to seek assistance.

European Court of Justice: ... K.B. has shared an emotional and domestic
relationship ... they constitute the processing of personal data
https://www.uni-
trier.de/fileadmin/fb5/inst/IEVR/Arbeitsmaterialien/Staatskirchenrecht/Europ
a/EuGH/ECJ.pdf
Opening presentation (via skype) at the Autumn School 2016 on the EU
https://edps.europa.eu/sites/edp/files/publication/16-
11_04_speech_laval_university_en.pdf
A National ID Card by Stealth? The BC Serv ices Card
Privacy Risks
http://bccla.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/BC-Services-Card.pdf
The Identity Cards Bill- The Information Commissioners
Concerns Background
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2005/oct/uk-id-cards-info-com.pdf
Identity Cards for foreign nationals are the first part of the National
Identity Scheme and will be rolled out so all new entrants and
those extending their stay will have a card within three years.
http://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/uploads/Inform/Q&AUKBA.pdf

Privacy campaigners concerned over

national ID card by stealth
Public Services Card will be required for passport and drivers licence
applicants
Mon, May 22, 2017, 01:00 Updated: Mon, May 22, 2017, 07:30
Elaine Edwards

Sample Public Services Card: Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe confirmed
that all passport applicants will be required to have the document from the autumn

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Privacy campaigners have expressed concern that a plan by the Government to make all citizens
applying for a passport and a driving licence first obtain a State-issued public services card represents
the introduction of a national ID card by stealth.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe confirmed that all passport applicants
will be required to have a Public Services Card (PSC) from the autumn, although he insisted it is not
and will not be compulsory for citizens to get the card.

The Road Safety Authority confirmed that all applicants for driving licences will be required to have
the card from early next year.

TJ McIntyre, a UCD law lecturer and chairman of the civil liberties group Digital Rights Ireland, said
he was concerned at the plans.

It appears to be a policy of introducing a national ID card by stealth, in a way which appears to be

illegal, he said.

The card, rolled out as a pilot in 2011, has been issued to over 2.5 million Irish citizens initially to
those claiming welfare benefits. The database used to administer provision of the PSC draws on
information from across government departments.

The Department of Social Protection says claimants who do not comply with the stringent registration
process for issuing the card may have their payments, including child benefit or free travel, suspended.

Registration process

Some of the cards have been issued by post, without a face-to-face registration process. The
Government says these cards used citizens passport photographs from the Department of Foreign
Affairs, with their consent.

The sharing of personal data by public bodies was the subject of a ruling by the Court of Justice in
2015 that citizens personal data may not be transferred between public bodies without them having
been informed in advance.

Mr Donohoe said the Government took its duties with regard to data protection very seriously and
that all processing of citizens data under the projects had a legislative underpinning.

A draft scheme of a new Data Sharing and Governance Bill, which the Minister said he would like to
have passed this year before a new EU regulation takes effect next May, comes before the Oireachtas
Committee on Finance again on Tuesday.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/privacy-campaigners-
concerned-over-national-id-card-by-stealth-1.3091209

Privacy campaigners concerned over national ID card by stealth

It appears to be a policy of introducing a national ID card by stealth, in a way which appears to be

illegal, he said. The card, ... over 2.5 million Irish

Facial recognition tool used to expose

155 cases of welfare fraud
Department of Social Protection attributes savings of 461,470 to software
system
Tue, Feb 7, 2017, 17:41
Conor Kane

Sample Public Services Card: recipients photographs are analysed to the facial imaging system to
check for duplication of claims. Photograph: Bryan OBrien

The 280,000 welfare fraud perpetrated by Adrian Vaduva is believed to be one of the largest yet
detected by the Department of Social Protections Cogent Facial Imaging Matching Software, which
was introduced in 2015.

By the end of January, 155 cases of suspected fraud discovered using the system had been referred to
the departments Special Investigations Unit and An Garda Sochna.

The department says that fraud overpayments totalling 1,590,500 have been or are being assessed in
those cases while recorded savings from the cessation of related social welfare payments come to
461,470.
The system uses photographs taken of social welfare recipients to detect any cases of people claiming
payments using more than one identity.

Under the departments Public Services Card scheme, recipients are invited into department offices to
have their photographs taken for a new card, so the facial imaging system is used to ensure that
multiple or fraudulent identities can be identified at the point of registration, a spokeswoman said.

This is what happened in the case of Vaduva, whose photograph taken in 2015 under his Eduard Preda
alias was fed into the departments database and matched to one taken in June of 2016 under his real
name.

Of the 155 cases identified to date, 22 were finalised in court, 17 of which led to custodial sentences.
Another 18 are currently the subject of formal legal proceedings initiated by the DPP, while 100 more
are still under investigation at various levels.

About 20 garda have been seconded to Department of Social Protection offices around the country to
investigate such cases, and other types of social welfare fraud.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/facial-recognition-tool-used-
to-expose-155-cases-of-welfare-fraud-1.2967045

Government continues data-sharing

projects despite EU ruling
Question marks remain over whether the various departments have a legal
basis for sharing citizens data
Thu, Dec 8, 2016, 05:15

Elaine Edwards
Data dilemma: the MyGovID online platform for citizens to access State services, which last week won
an award in the Civil Service Excellence and Innovation awards, appears to ignore the European Court
of Justice ruling in the Bara case.

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Three years ago, the Government embarked on a grand scheme to consult with the public service,
government departments and members of the public on how the personal data of citizens might be
shared to improve and streamline State services.

Even in a rapidly expanding environment for private and public services online, it was an ambitious
proposal, but it remained almost entirely under the radar apart from being noted by a tiny cohort that
might be unkindly referred to as the privacy geek community.

One high-level observer said the public should be properly informed about the grand bargain
involving the trading of their personal data for the benefits they get from the State.

Such arrangements may, under recent plans, include the sharing of sensitive health information for so-
called health solutions for the general public. Delivered via apps or through other routes, these
services might be processed by third parties, such as multinational corporations with their headquarters
outside the EU namely the US which does not generally provide the same fundamental rights
protections as the EU for personal data. There are ongoing concerns (to say the least) in the EU over
the processing of citizens personal data which may be accessed by US national security authorities or
by other law enforcement authorities, with minimal scrutiny.
Hacking, for identity theft and data fraud, in particular in the health sector, is a growing and ever-
present threat, with some studies suggesting health data breaches take up to twice as long to detect and
also that health data is also worth up to 10 times as much as other data on the black market.

Ruling scuppers plan

But back to Ireland: following a public consultation in late 2014, a draft piece of primary legislation
that would cover government data-sharing projects was drawn up and approved by the Government in
the middle of 2015. But in October of last year, a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union
in the Romanian case of Smaranda Bara, appeared to blow much of that plan out of the water.

In that case, the Luxembourg-based court held that the requirement of fair processing of personal data
meant a public administrative body had to inform citizens of the fact that their data would be
transferred to another public administrative body for other purposes.

At the recent re:Publica conference in Dublin, Dr Dennis Jennings, who sits on the Governments open
data governance forum, said he had informed the Government that much of its plan for sharing
citizens data, under that draft legislation, would be illegal under the Bara ruling. The legislation is
back at the drawing board, but has not yet been before the Oireachtas.

The Data Protection Commissioner, who is responsible for ensuring the processing of citizens
personal information is in compliance with the law, issued guidance on the Bara ruling.

Helen Dixons office said that the public policy objective being pursued by a particular data sharing
arrangement without consent should be explicit and that an assessment should be made as to whether
the likely benefits of the sharing justified the overriding of the individuals data protection rights.

Tech giants strangely silent on US internet snooping

State on collision course with EU court over data sharing
Data protection ministry lost in Pat Breens vast portfolio

Public sector bodies should consider the potential benefits and risks, either to individuals or society, of
sharing the personal data, her office said.

In theory, that should have sent the Governments data-sharing project, driven mainly by the
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Social Protection, back to the
drawing board. The drafting of legislation is still under way.

Yet a number of massive Government data-sharing projects have continued apace almost as if the
European ruling in Bara had not happened.

Active Government projects currently include the HSEs eHealthIreland divisions project to create an
individual health identifier for every person in the State and the creation of a database on every primary
school pupil.

The Department of Social Protection has a plan, in conjunction with the Department of Public
Expenditure, is to issue every adult in the State with a public services card by the end of this year.
The Government has a contract with a private provider to fulfil a requirement to issue three million
cards and has already issued around two million, but is short of the number it is required to issue. It
appears to be desperately trying to get them out the door, through means such as issuing cards to
customers using their passport details from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

At least 431,000 public services cards have been issued in this way, according to the Department of
Social Protection. Both departments insist the legal basis for sharing personal data resides in the Social
Welfare Act of 2005.
Yet question marks remain over whether the legislation cited by both those departments provides a
legal basis for sharing citizens data.

Records released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that the MyGovID project an online
identity management system for members of the public launched in February, was still in need of
appropriate communications, governance and standards two months later.

Privacy impact assessment

Separately, the HSE was warned by the Data Protection Commissioner that a privacy impact
assessment on the implementation of the individual health identifier for every citizen did not cover the
creation of new databases, such as a national diabetes register.

The DPC also said serious consideration must be given to its guidelines in relation to data sharing in
the public sector, and in particular around the issue of transparency.

In comments on the draft of the HSEs privacy impact assessment for the health identifier project, the
Data Protection Commissioners office said the 82 submissions received on the public consultation was
a somewhat disappointing return given that this project will affect every citizen of the State.

Records released under the Freedom of Information Act said that while there was no indication as to
the identity of the respondents to the consultation, it appeared that the majority of responses are from
individuals within the health sector, which may lead to a distorted view of the privacy risks for
individuals associated with the project.

While the office recognised there had been a concerted effort by eHealthIreland and the HSE to
promote and discuss the health identifier project, it said the lack of public knowledge regarding the
legislation and its impact was a risk in itself.

The Department of Social Protection has control of the MyGovID online identity management project
launched in February. As of March, it had already given presentations to the Revenue Commissioners,
the Department of Transport, the Road Safety Authority, Solas, the Department of Education, the
Immigration and Naturalisation Service, the Private Residential Tenancies Board, the Department of
Health and the Passport Office, clearly with a view to them accessing the service.

The Garda Vetting Unit, which assesses people for certain job applications, has drafted a business case
for access to the system.

Earlier this week the Governments MyGovID online platform for citizens to access State services
through an online identity management platform won an award in the Civil Service Excellence and
Innovation awards.

Daragh OBrien, managing director of Castlebridge Associates, a consultancy firm on data governance
and data protection issues, said the new General Data Protection Regulation, various judgments of the
Court of Justice of the European Union, as well as the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, made it clear
that data collection on a grand scale must be both necessary and proportionate.

Nothing exemplifies the failure of the Irish public service to recognise that data protection law exists,
and has evolved, more than the celebration of an award for a project that on the face of it appears to
ignore the Court of Justice ruling in the Bara case, he said.

In relation to the MyGovID project, he said that building governance controls after a department had
built a massive database of citizens information was the equivalent of blocking the door after the
horse has bolted.

As of October, the Data Protection Commissioner was still reviewing the documentation pertaining to
the health identifiers project, which was presented as a fait accompli by the HSE in the summer.
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/government-continues-data-
sharing-projects-despite-eu-ruling-1.2896362

Facial-recognition software and our fear

of Big Brother
Identity technology makes us feel more secure at airports. But more
watched in private
Thu, Apr 27, 2017, 05:07

Chris Horn

Some employees and passengers at certain international airports accept their faces being photographed
for security. Photograph: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

John de Mol is a Dutch entrepreneur and media tycoon, who has been listed as one of the 500 richest in
the world. His influence here in Ireland is chiefly through the reality TV series Big Brother, which he
created in 1997. Some 20 years later, there have been several hundred seasons of the Big Brother
franchise in over 50 countries worldwide.

The shows name derives from George Orwells book Nineteen Eighty-Four, in which Big Brother is
the leader of a totalitarian state wielding absolute power over its citizens, not least by telescreens which
continuously observe its inhabitants.

Fortunately, we do not live in a totalitarian society. Nevertheless, the State is increasing its surveillance
over us. The Garda Automatic Number Plate Recognition system was first introduced in 2008. Garda
cars fitted with the equipment can continuously and automatically scan number plates, and verify that
the vehicles so identified are taxed. Speeding vehicles are also identified.

In principle, the system can also verify that vehicles are insured, but full integration with accurate data
from insurance companies may yet take until 2019. Paper disks on windscreens for tax, NCT and
insurance could then become a thing of the past. As the system has been further developed, it can
automatically detect stolen vehicles, and vehicles associated with criminal suspects. During recent
court cases, the Garda has reported cars of interest being automatically identified by the system near
the scenes of crimes.

Fraudulent identity

In 2015, the Department of Social Welfare introduced facial-recognition software which automatically
scans photographs of new applicants against the departments internal database of existing claimants.
Any match is then a potential case of fraudulent identity, and is brought to the attention of the
departments special investigation unit. A number of successful court prosecutions have been taken,
and more cases are listed.

Tech giants strangely silent on US internet snooping

State on collision course with EU court over data sharing
Data protection ministry lost in Pat Breens vast portfolio

Passengers through some international airports accept their faces being photographed during security
and then checked again before boarding. International travellers to the US likewise have their faces
scanned by customs and border control. The Trump administration has now announced its Biometric
Exit programme. Every visa holder leaving a US airport will automatically have a high-quality
photograph of their face scanned against the federal visa application database. If there is no match, then
the visitor may have entered the US illegally.

Furthermore, the same technology could be used to check the FBI database and other databases of
interest at the state or federal level. Thus, in the same way that the Garda system can automatically and
continuously check number plates against databases of criminal- and security-related activity, so might
many airport systems automatically and continuously review facial scans. In fact, there is little
technical challenge to doing likewise using any security-related video feeds, including from good-
resolution CCTV systems widely deployed in urban areas. Automatic verification of identity can
catalyse continuous law enforcement.

State surveillance

And so, while we have been watching Big Brother, Big Brother is increasingly watching us, with
implications for law enforcement and civil rights. But in addition to surveillance by state authorities,
the reality TV show is becoming real: not only can we watch and learn about strangers in a custom-
built house, but we can potentially watch and learn about strangers in the real world too.

The Google Glass project offered a computer display mounted as a pair of eyeglasses. Google stopped
its prototype Glass project in 2014, but not before some software developers had created facial-
recognition-based apps for Glass which could identify random strangers.
Just last month, a UK ad agency announced a new app, Facezam, which would let you to take a photo
of a random stranger with your smartphone, and then identify them from Facebook accounts.

Facebooks technology facilitates such automated searches, because the hundreds of millions of its
users are explicitly encouraged to identify and tag friends and family members in the photos which are
uploaded into Facebook.

Apps which exploit Facebooks facial-recognition algorithm such as Facezam violate the social
media firms current privacy norms and are consequently likely to be disallowed. In fact, Facezam
turned out to be a publicity hoax, aiming simply to draw attention to the ad agency concerned.

On the other hand, a Facezam equivalent already exists and is not at all a hoax. The Findface app uses
the Russian social network VK to recognise strangers from photos, provided those strangers are users
of that particular social network.

Facial-recognition algorithms have reached a level of accuracy whereby identification of strangers is

entirely feasible from photos and live video feeds. The only prerequisite is having access to a suitably
big data collection of facial photos.

John de Mol has made a lot of money from his Big Brother reality TV brainchild, but it is not his only
reality TV concept. Among other titles, he created Fear Factor in which contestants are challenged to
overcome their instinctive fears. Our own fascination with identifying and watching complete strangers
is becoming scary.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/innovation/facial-recognition-software-
and-our-fear-of-big-brother-1.3061827

Many genetic testing sites fail to outline

privacy implications
Data Protection Commissioner addresses first Data Summit organised by
Government
Thu, Jun 22, 2017, 06:11
Elaine Edwards

Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon said many public-sector bodies seemed to struggle
enormously with the high-level, principles-based nature of data-protection law. Photograph: Cyril
Byrne

Many websites offering genetic testing for commercial purposes fail to outline the privacy implications
of such tests, Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon has said.

Speaking at the inaugural Data Summit in Dublin organised by the Department of the Taoiseach, Ms
Dixon outlined the challenges to privacy from the so-called digital revolution, but also the
opportunities she said new European Union legislation would bring.
The commissioner noted fantastically positive examples of what data-driven technology had given
us, including better understanding of climate change, combating hospital infections and identifying
genetic markers for cancer.

However, Ms Dixon said context was king in assessing the circumstances in which data was being
processed. Data-protection authorities had a watchdog role, where they identified risks in terms of how
data was collected and used, but they did not make policy choices.

She said her office had recently audited a number of insurance firms for new insurance products based
on drivers agreeing to use telematic apps that monitor their driving behaviour.

Genetic testing

On genetic testing, Ms Dixon said that in appropriate clinical settings with regulated professionals,
ethics committees and counsellors, genetic testing and research could be a good thing where it led to
identification of markers for breast cancer, for example.

In these types of regulated clinical environments, ethical decisions can be made on what information
patients should receive, whether the rest of the family should receive certain results where they could
be equally affected by what is identified, whether DNA samples should be destroyed and whether the
data can be safely stored in the cloud, etc.

But then think of genetic testing in the context of online commercial firms offering, for example,
child talent genetic testing.

Yes indeed, a test that purports to tell you whether its a good idea to buy your child a piano or not
and claims to give you a firm idea of your childs strengths and weaknesses.

The commissioner said a lot of the websites offering these online services fail to outline the privacy
implications with this type of test, such as precisely what data was collected, how the data would be
used, whether it would be sold, how it would be secured and how and where it would be stored.

Neither typically are these websites clear that in fact no DNA test is going to be accurate in terms of
predicting if a child is going to be good at playing the piano or in relation to any of the personality
traits of the child. Genetic data also presents the privacy complication of family members being
identifiable as well.

Ms Dixon said that many public-sector bodies seemed to struggle enormously with the high-level,
principles-based nature of data-protection law.

There is no book that tells us the answer to any data-protection implementation question it hangs off
the detail of the specific case. And the organisation proposing it is best placed to conduct that analysis
and present it to us.

On the new General Data Protection Regulation, Ms Dixon said she believed it was going to slowly
transform our relationship with digital service providers of all types.

Its real strength lay in the new accountability and transparency requirements it implemented.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/many-genetic-testing-sites-
fail-to-outline-privacy-implications-1.3127918

Identity cards and new Identity and Passport Service ...

Identity cards and new Identity ... the cancellation of the UK national identity card; ... age or as a
travel document. It will not be illegal to use your identity ..
Overview

This guide provides information about the 2011 cancellation of identity cards, including what you need
to do if you have one, and gives details on the new suppliers working with the Identity and Passport
Service.

Identity card cancellation

Under the terms of the Identity Documents Act 2010, identity cards ceased to be legal documents on 21
January 2011. The government introduced the Identity Documents Act 2010 which received royal
assent on 21 December 2010. The act brings into law:

the cancellation of the UK national identity card

the identification card for EEA nationals
the provision for the destruction of the National Identity Register

Your identity card ceased to be a valid legal document for confirming your identity on 21 January
2010.

We have written to all existing cardholders at their registered address to inform them of the position.

Using your identity card as proof of identity, age or as a travel document

It will not be illegal to use your identity card as proof of identity after 21 January 2011. While the
identity card is no longer valid for official purposes some organisations may still be willing to accept
them as proof of identity without the ability to check against the national identity register.

Identity cards have ceased to be valid travel documents. If you have made travel plans and dont
currently have a passport we would advise you to apply for a passport now.

Passport information

Passport advice line: 0300 222 0000 (open from 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am - 5.30pm
weekends and public holidays)

What to do with your identity card

Identity cardholders are not required to return their cards to Identity and Passport Services (IPS).
Holders of identity cards are advised to consider securely destroying them. People that choose to retain
their identity card should ensure that it is kept in a safe and secure place. To avoid unnecessary and
expensive processes, and to minimise cost to taxpayers, cards will not be recalled, and cardholders will
not be offered refunds.

Returning to the UK with a cancelled identity card

The decision to grant entry at a port after this time is a matter for the UK Border Agency. Ports staff
will be made aware of the cancellation identity cards and will apply their discretion in relation to
people coming back to the UK on an identity card. To avoid uncertainty and delays we recommend that
people travelling overseas do so with their British passport.

You should make arrangements to visit the British embassy/high commission or consular office in the
country you are visiting to discuss your circumstances. Depending upon the duration of your stay, they
may be able to arrange for either an emergency travel document to be issued or a new passport to be
requested. A fee will be payable for either an emergency travel document or a new passport, please
consult the Foreign and Commonwealth Office section for details of the office details and
requirements.

Cancellation of the national identity register

The national identity register was destroyed on 10 February 2011. The personal details of everyone
issued with an identity card which were recorded on the National Identity Register were securely
destroyed. This included photograph and fingerprint biometrics. The register was destroyed by IPS
along with the relevant contractors to approved security standards. The completion of the
decommissioning will be reported to Parliament.

Biometric residence permit

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) will continue to issue biometric residence permits to non-EEA
foreign nationals (formerly known as identity cards for foreign nationals). The biometric data is not
kept on the national identity register. European law requires non-EEA foreign nationals to be provided
with biometric residence permits.

New Identity and Passport Service suppliers

In May 2008, 5 new suppliers were chosen to work with the Identity and Passport Service: CSC, EDS,
Fujitsu, IBM, and Thales. Each signed framework contracts and formed a strategic supplier group.

Using a strategic supplier group allows IPS to carry out shorter procurement processes, meaning
contracts for services can be issued more quickly and easily. By inviting suppliers to sign up to a single
framework contract, it ensures common terms and conditions and pricing structures are in place.

The group of suppliers under the framework contract can also be accessed by other agencies. The
UKBA has been involved in the procurement process to date, and now uses the framework contract to
procure services for the improvement of its case work operations.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/identity-cards-and-new-identity-and-passport-
service-suppliers

Post Implementation Review of

the EU Electronic
Communications Regulatory
Framework 200
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi
le/610586/PIR_EU_Electronic_Communications_Regulatory_Framework_2009.p
df
This Command Paper provides an overview of the Post Implementation Review (PIR) of the UKs
implementation of revisions to the EU Electronic Communications Framework, which took place in
May 2011. The revisions, which were agreed by the EU in 2009, were transposed into UK legislation
using four negative resolution statutory instruments:

The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment)

2011
The Electronic Communications (Universal Services) Amendment (Order
2011)
The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy Regulations
2011
The Communications Act 2003 (Maximum Penalty for Contravention of
Information Requirements) Order 2011

The Framework establishes the rules which govern the European telecommunications sector, and is
subject to five-yearly reviews of its fitness for purpose. These reviews include negotiation of updates
and revision as necessary.

Negotiations are currently in progress for the latest review, in which the Framework will become
known as the

https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regdoc/rep/1/2016/EN/1-2016-590-EN-F1-1.PDF

This document was originally laid in Parliament in March 2017. It has now been re-laid and published
with amendments.

Cut EU red tape: support for the

COMPETE principles
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi
le/405591/Cut_EU_red_tape_Support_for_the_COMPETE_principle__Feb_2015___
1_.pdf

IdentIty theft - LAWSTUFF

Is identity theft illegal ... card number to buy ... this work for a non-profit purpose provided that you
attribute the National Childrens and Youth Law Centre

http://www.lawstuff.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/14885/IndentityTheft
-fact-sheet.pdf
ID cards on the cards for Ireland
May 23, 2017
Public Services Card needed for licenses, passports
Irish citizens applying for a new passport or a driving
license will also have to hold the States Public Services
Card (PSC).
Although Irish Ministers insist that the cards are not
compulsory, the new requirements mean that, for anyone
who wishes to travel or drive, they effectively are.
Those applying for a passport will be required to produce
the PSC from the autumn while it will be needed for
driving license applications from next year.
Since 2011, the card has been issued to 2.3 million Irish
citizens. It is underpinned by a biometric facial
recognition database controlled by the Irish Department
of Social Protection. Recently it has been given to people
claiming social welfare benefits and, although a policy of
non-obligation has been maintained, the Irish
Government has been keen to encourage all citizens to
sign up.
The new measures will go some way towards hitting its
target of having three million people registered by the
end of 2017.
Paschal Donohoe, Irish Minister for Public Expenditure,
explained that the reason for the change in procedure was
to do with the safety of Ireland and its citizens.
Given the increase in acts of terrorism over the last
several years, every democratic country should be
obliged to deploy the most robust means of authenticated
travel across borders that it has available, he told The
Irish Times. It is not, and will not be, compulsory to
have a PSC.
However, Government has an obligation to deploy the
most robust means of online and physical identity
verification possible to ensure that it is doing all it can to
reduce fraud, personation and the risk of identity theft in
the delivery or accessing of public services.
Mr Donohoe said that the process behind the card has a
legislative underpinning but others are unconvinced.
TJ McIntyre, chairman of civil liberties group Digital
Rights Ireland and a law lecturer at UCD, described them
as very concerning.
It appears to be a policy of introducing a national ID
card by stealth, in a way which appears to be illegal, he
said.
http://www.theirishworld.com/public-services-id-cards-
ireland/

Irish citizens applying for a new passport or a driving

license will also have to hold the States Public Services
Card (PSC)

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information or possessions so they can use your
identity.

Identity fraud is when they use your identity for their own financial gain usually at a great cost to
you.
You might not even realise that your information has been stolen until after the fraud has happened and
only find out when a bill arrives for something you didn't buy, or when you have trouble taking out a
credit card or a mobile phone contract.

According to research from Experian's Victims of Fraud team, it takes an average of 292 days for
people to discover their information has been used for fraudulent purposes.

5 common ways fraudsters can steal your identity

Common theft

You could be burgled and have your personal possessions taken, for example your purse containing
your ID.

Cold-calling

Fraudsters call you pretending to be a genuine business and mislead you into giving away personal and
financial information.

Hacking

Software is deployed to hack into your computer or information is taken from your smartphone.

Phishing

Fraudsters send an email that appears to be from a trusted company to get you to click a link and enter
your personal information, such as your banking details.

Data breach

Customer information could be stolen from a service provider. There have been a number of high-
profile data breaches in recent years.

Only have 2 minutes? Watch our video on how Identity Fraud can affect you.

How identity theft could affect you

Having your identity stolen and used fraudulently can hit your finances hard. Fraudsters could take
money from your bank account or they could take out credit in your name. Their actions can hurt your
credit score and affect your chances of getting credit in the future.

Thankfully in most situations the effects of fraud can be reversed. But this process can take an
emotional toll on you and the impact can go on for much longer than the actual fraud itself research
by Experian's Victims of Fraud team shows that it can take a staggering 300 hours to set the record
straight.

That's why it's important to act quickly. Your first step is to get in touch with your banks and lenders
they'll work with you to resolve the issues and if necessary will contact the police on your behalf.
Contacting us is the next step as we'll help you clear your credit report.

Read more about the steps you need to take if you're a victim of fraud.
Protect yourself against identity theft

There are many ways fraudsters can get hold of your information so there are a lot of good habits you
can start to protect yourself. These are our top three tips:

1. Never respond to unsolicited emails and phone calls.

2. Use different passwords for different accounts particularly for your
email account and online banking.
3. Use strong passwords made up of three random words you can add in
numbers and symbols, and use a combination of lowercase and uppercase
letters if you want.

Click here for more information about protecting yourself against fraud.

One of the best things you can do is understand the early warning signs, so that, if you do become a
victim, you can act fast to help avoid the fraud becoming more severe.

http://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/identity-theft.html

IDENTITY CARD (EID)

What is a identity card?

A identity card (eID) is a personal identification document that verifies the holder's identity and legal
status.

Each person registered in the Population Register can obtain the identity card, according to his or her
legal status. An identity card can be issued to children under the age of 15 upon an application of
parents or the legal guardian.

A person can simultaneously have only one identity card and only one passport (except for diplomatic
and service passports).

For how long are the identity card issued?

Age The identity card is issued for

Children under the age of 2 years or for the period of duration of a
5 trip
Persons from the age of 5 5 years

Where can a identity card be obtained?

Documents to apply for a identity card are submitted, and the identity card is obtained at any territorial
division of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, irrespectively of the declared place of
residing.

A person who lives or resides for a long period of time in a foreign country, can apply for a identity
card at the consular or diplomatic service of the Republic of Latvia.

Important

Documents to be submitted in order to obtain a personal certificate

Documents to be submitted in order to obtain a personal certificate for a
child (under the age of 15)

The State fee on issuance of a identity card

Functions of a identity card

With a identity card, you can verify your identity in presence by

presenting the document to a person who must confirm your identity,
legal status, age, etc. In Latvia, a identity card can fully replace a
passport, except regarding the use of voting rights until the
implementation of an electronic voter registration system. 2. A
identity card of a citizen of Latvia can be used as a travel document
within the European Union, countries of the European Economic Area
and the Swiss Confederation. Read more 3. With a identity card, in
which an authentication certificate is included and activated, you can
verify your identity from distance in the electronic environment. It is
possible if the service provider ensures a chance to authenticate with an
eID. Read more 4. With a identity card, in which a valid certificate of an
electronic signature is included and activated, you can attach your
electronic signature to electronic documents having the same force as
physically signed documents. Read more

A person who wants to activate the certificates included in the personal certificate is
obliged to get acquainted with the certification service rendering system, description
of equipment and security procedures, a reliable certification service providers
provisions of certification service rendering included in the register, as well as other
security measures in order to eliminate illegal use of a verified certificate, together
with the provisions and limitations included in the verified certificate. Provisions of
the certification services are available here.

NB! A no-contact microchip is installed in the identity card, therefore if you are using
an e-talon in order to pay for going by a public transport, do not hold the e-talon
together with the identity card when electronically registering the e-talon in the public
transport! Otherwise, the e-talon might not function and your run would not be paid
for.

How to prepare the computer for operations with the identity card?

What are PIN codes and to change them?

How to renew the eID certificates?

What to do in case of loss or stealth of and identity card?

What to do if there appear problems with the identity card while being abroad?

Limitations of identity card usag

Frequently asked questions and answers

http://www.pmlp.gov.lv/en/home/services/personal-certificates-(eid)/
Documents for your Limited, Ban or Suspended Accounts; Document Holding
Selfie ... We Offer High Quality Stealth or Fake Document for ... National
Identity Card
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ban-or-suspended-accounts/

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or Suspended Accounts
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We provide high quality real looking documents through which many of our clients get restored their
Accounts, but still we do not provide any kind of guarantee of acceptance (specially if they do
verify it from Public records / Government Database or some other database, as all documents
are edited by Photoshop and have no real data).

We Offer High Quality Stealth or Fake Document for:

PayPal, Skrill, eBay, Neteller, Facebook, Payoneer, Amazon, Freelancer, Upwork, Google Wallet,
Dwolla, SnapCard, CoinBase, OkPay, Bitcoin, Perfect Money, Webmoney, Bitcoin, Entropay,
Godaddy, Hostgator and many other websites that demand you for documents for verification.

Note: You will get your order in JPEG image format (Scanned or Snapshot). No Shipment of
documents included.

here are many other reasons behind account limitations. According to our case study, PayPal / ebay /
Skrill / Google Wallet / Perfect Money / Payza / Payoneeer / Facebook / Neteller / Web Money / Ego
Pay / Amazon / Freelancer / Elace / odesk or many other also limit all those suspicious accounts even
you provide them with your genuine or real documents.
Documents are provided as an initiative for PayPal and others so that they look in to your case and
decide to restore it or permanent limit it after manual reviewing your transactions, your purchases, your
charge back, refunds, age and many other factors.

Important : These documents are not for the use to make any fraudulent activity (Strictly Not
Allowed), we provide this service to help those people whos real earning has been blocked by
PayPal or other companies.

Documents available:
Photo ID as Passport, Driver License, National Identity Card
Utility Bill as Electricity Bill or Energy or Power Bill, Water Bill, Gas Bill or Telephone or Landline
Bill
Supplier Invoice as Sales invoice and Electronic Receipt or Invoice
Business Details as Business Website with Invoice and Costumer Chat History
Credit Card statement: Both Online e-statement or Paper statement or Visa Card or Master Card
statement of any bank available
Bank Statement: Both Online e-statement or Paper statement of any bank available.
SSN Document available

Custom Documents:
Notary or attested or certified documents available
USPS form 1583 with Notary documents available
Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate or other
NRIC, SSN, or any other document available on custom demand.

http://www.secondeyesolution.ch/product/buy-documents-for-your-limited-
ban-or-suspended-accounts/

Exempt Persons - General Dental Council

Exempt Persons. Home; ... Ireland: Romania Cyprus ...
If you are a national of an EEA state or Switzerland you
are required to provide a valid national identity card

Guidance on exempt person status

This guidance is current as of April 2016. This is a complicated area of law and the GDC
recommend that you obtain independent legal advice on your status as an exempt person.

Please note that rights conferred by Directive 2004/38/EC do not extend to a substantive right to
have professional qualifications recognised. Even if you are entitled to be treated as an exempt
person, this does not mean that you are entitled to automatic recognition of your qualifications.
The recognition of professional qualifications for dentists and dental care professionals across the
EU is covered by Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications.

Therefore, in the event you can demonstrate exempt person status, this does not lead to automatic
registration and does not exempt you from the ORE. It gives you the option of applying under
the route of an individual assessment in addition to applying for the ORE.
Introduction

Under the Dentists Act 1984 (as amended), certain routes to registration with the GDC (either as a
dentist or as a dental care professional) are only available to applicants who can demonstrate that they
are an exempt person under the Act. To qualify as an exempt person in relation to the professions of
dentistry or in relation to a profession complementary to dentistry you must be either be:-

a national of an EEA state (other than the United Kingdom) or

Switzerland;
a national of the United Kingdom who is seeking access to, or is pursuing,
the profession by virtue of an enforceable EU; or
a person who is not a national of an EEA state or Switzerland but who is,
by virtue of an enforceable EU right, entitled to be treated, for the
purposes of access to and pursuit of the profession, no less favourably
than a national of an EEA State or Switzerland.

Directive 2004/38/EC governs the rights of citizens of the EU and their family members to move and
reside freely within the territory of the member states. It applies to all EU citizens who move to, or
reside in a member state other than that of which they are a national, and to their family members.

The Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 implement Directive 2004/38/EC in the
UK and extend it to citizens of the EEA and Switzerland.

The EEA member states are:

Austria Greece Norway
Belgium Hungary Poland
Bulgaria Iceland Portugal
Croatia Ireland Romania
Cyprus Italy Slovakia
Czech Republic Latvia Slovenia
Denmark Lichtenstein Spain
Estonia Lithuania Sweden
Finland Luxembourg United Kingdom
France Malta
Germany The Netherlands

Applicants to the GDC may seek to rely on the Directive in order to demonstrate that they are seeking
access to, or pursuing, the profession of dentistry or a profession complementary to dentistry by virtue
of an enforceable EU right.

This guidance explains the circumstances under which an applicant to the GDC is entitled to be treated
as an exempt person. It also contains suggestions for the documents required by the GDC; this is not an
exhaustive list and the responsibility lies with you to provide sufficient evidence to the GDC to prove
this entitlement.

Please note that this guidance does not constitute legal advice. This is a complex and developing area
of law which is subject to change and if you have any questions about your rights under European law,
you are advised to consult an appropriately qualified lawyer. We cannot provide legal advice.
I am a national of an EEA State (other than the United Kingdom) or
Switzerland how to I demonstrate that I am an exempt person?

If you are a national of an EEA state or Switzerland you are required to provide a valid national
identity card or passport issued by an EEA state or Switzerland.

I am a UK national - am I an exempt person?

If you are a UK national, you will only qualify as an exempt person if you can demonstrate that you are
seeking access to or are pursuing the profession by virtue of an enforceable EU right. In order to
demonstrate this, you will need to provide the GDC with documentary evidence that:

1. You hold an appropriate European diploma as defined in Schedule 2 to

the Act , or hold a qualification which entitles you to be assessed under
the General System Regulations ; AND/OR
2. You are (or were) residing in another EEA state or in Switzerland as
either a worker, self-employed person, student or self-sufficient person,
or pursuant to the three month right to reside under Directive
2004/38/EC; AND/OR
3. You have a different enforceable EU right.

You are required to provide the GDC with:-

A certified copy of your valid UK passport; and

Proof of residency (e.g. a registration certificate, tenancy agreement or
residence card issued by another EEA state or Switzerland proving your
residence in that state for at least three consecutive months) OR proof of
the other enforceable EU right (such as qualification) on which you are
relying; and (if relevant)
Either:
o Proof of employment (e.g. a letter from an employer or certificate
of employment) or,
o Proof of self-employment (e.g. a set of self-employed accounts or
letter from an accountant) or
o Proof of student status (e.g. a letter from the educational
establishment attesting to attendance, enrolment or completion
of a course), or
o Proof of self-sufficient residence in another EEA state or
Switzerland, or of other residence for no less than three months in
another EEA state or Switzerland.

Please note: If the EEA national from who you derive your rights is a UK national, you will also be
required to provide evidence of his/her exempt person status (in accordance with the paragraph).

I am a non-EEA/non-Swiss national - am I an exempt person?

If you are not a national of an EEA state or Switzerland you will only qualify as an exempt person if
you can demonstrate that you are, by virtue of an enforceable EU right, entitled to be treated no less
favourably than a national of an EEA state or Switzerland for the purposes of access to and pursuit of
the profession of dentistry or a profession complimentary to dentistry. In order to do so, you will need
to provide the GDC with documentary evidence that you fall within one of the following categories:-

You are either:

i. the spouse or registered partner of an EEA/Swiss national, or

ii. the direct descendant under the age of 21, dependent, or

dependant relative in the ascending line of an EEA/Swiss national
or of their spouse or partner, or

iii. an extended family member of an EEA/Swiss national (as

defined in the Immigration (European Economic Area)
Regulations 2006) AND

You are accompanying or joining an EEA/Swiss national who is residing in the UK either as a worker,
as a self-employed person, as a student, as a self-sufficient person, or pursuant to the three month right
to reside under Directive 2004/38/EC. OR

You are a person previously falling into one of the categories above who has retained their rights under
Directive 2004/38/EC rights following the death or departure of the EEA/Swiss national from the UK
or following divorce, annulment of marriage or termination of the civil partnership, under the
conditions described in Articles 12 - 13 of Directive 2004/38/EC.

In order to demonstrate to the GDC that you fall within one of the categories above, you will also need
to provide the GDC with the relevant documents, depending on your relationship with the EEA/Swiss
national from whom you derive your rights. It is your responsibility to obtain the necessary
documentation from the appropriate bodies in another EEA state/Switzerland.

Please note: If the EEA national from whom you derive your rights is a UK national, you will also be
required to provide evidence of his/her exempt person status.

Please refer to our guidance document for further information.

Guidance on Exempt Person status (72.3 KB, PDF)

Working in the UK

Please note that if you are the family member of an EEA national who has been granted registration by
the GDC, you may still require clearance to work in the UK. We are unable to provide advice on this.
For advice please contact the Home Office UK Border Agency.

https://www.gdc-uk.org/professionals/registration/route-to-reg/exempt-
persons
Right to Rent Declaration ... A passport or national identity card ... In cases
where no ID documents are available landlords or agents would need to contact
http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/downloads/Right-to-Rent-Declaration.pdf
PROVING YOUR AGE

Under the terms of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 there are various forms of identification which
licensees or their staff can accept as proving your age. From 1st October 2013, these are:

(i) A passport
(ii) A European Union photocard driving licence
(iii) A Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
(iv) A photographic identity card bearing the national Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS)
hologram
(v) A national identity card issued by a European Union member state (other than the United
Kingdom), Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, or
(vi) A Biometric Immigration Document.

So, if you havent got a proof of age card please carry one of these other forms of identification.
However, given the significant difficulties in replacing either of these types of document should they
become lost or mislaid we would recommend that you consider obtaining a proof of age card which
can be replaced far more easily if it has to be.

Please remember that there is no automatic right of entry to licensed premises nor is there an automatic
right to service of alcohol. Entry is always at the discretion of the licensee for whatever reason he or
she decides and the licensee is under no obligation to explain the reason

http://challenge25.org/proving.html
'Incredible lack of controls and transparency' - Concerns ...
The announcement that Irish citizens will need a Public Service Card to obtain a ... Donohoe said that
while "it is not and will ... not being mandatory,

The 60-second guide to...

getting your Public
Services Card

1August 28 2016

The Public Services Card

Many people are getting letters in the post, inviting them to register for their
Public Services Card. Should you have received such a letter, don't ignore it.
You could run into difficulties claiming social welfare or getting your passport
(if you have never applied for one before) should you do so.

The Public Services Card is a new card which you can use to claim social
welfare payments.

It will replace the Social Services Card and the Free Travel Pass. One of the
main reasons the card is being introduced is to combat fraud.

The card is initially being rolled out to people getting certain social welfare
payments (such as child benefit or pensions) and to those who are applying
for other social welfare payments for the first time.

It is the Department of Social Protection which is sending out the letters. The
card is mainly being issued by invitation but if you haven't received a letter,
you can contact your local social welfare office or Intreo centre to arrange an
appointment.

You must usually register for the card in person. This appointment, which will
be in your local social welfare office or Intreo centre, should take about 15
minutes.

You will have your photograph taken and signature recorded during the
appointment. You must bring proof of ID along with you - a passport, driving
licence or learner permit is typically required.

You must also bring along evidence of your address, such as an electricity or
phone bill. You should also take along the letter you received from the
Department of Social Protection inviting you to register.

You will usually get your Public Services Card in the post within a week of this
appointment. There is no charge for the card.

You may be able to register for the card by post.

Should this be the case, the Department of Social Protection will usually write
to you to make arrangements.

http://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/the-60second-guide-
to-getting-your-public-services-card-35000262.html
'Incredible lack of
controls and
transparency' - Concerns
over mandatory ID Cards
to get passports and
driving licences

3
The Public Services Card
Kathy Armstrong
May 22 2017
The announcement that Irish citizens will need a Public
Service Card to obtain a passport or driving licence raises
concerns about transparency and mass data sharing, a
security expert said today.
Over 2.5 million people have obtained a PSC - which are
compiled by information from various government
departments.
Today Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said
that while "it is not and will not be compulsory for people
to get this card", they will be mandatory if you want to
apply for a driving licence or passport.
Daragh O Brien, Managing Director of Castlebridge Data
Protection and Data Governance, said that the
introduction of this system must be as transparent as
possible.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, he said: "If a democratic
country is required to have it then one of the key processes
of a democratic country is the debate and discussion of
what is essentially a large change in the philosophy and
approach of the state.
"In relation to it not being mandatory, if you require it to
get a driving licence to get to work or to get a passport in
order to go on holiday with your family then it is
mandatory, even if the state is pretending otherwise...
Buy passport,driving license,IdCard,residence Card

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9BTTGGcKfk
Public Service Cards will be necessary for passport applications
from next year (Stock picture)
"The reason there's a concern is that the national identity
card cannot be done by Stealth without appropriate debate
and transparency.
"One of the reasons for concern is the amount of sharing
of data that will have to happen between government
departments for this card to exist is quite large.
"That sharing will require a basis in primary legislation
and it's required under EU law that we are told about this
in advance.
"There was a court case in 2015 called the Bar Ruling in
the European Court of Justice which made it clear that for
public sector agencies sharing data among themselves they
would need to communicate that this was taking place.
"It makes sense to ensure that the sharing has an
appropriate legal basis and that the state agencies doing
the sharing are complying with European data protection
law.
"If the sharing is important and has a valid purpose and is
valuable for the state and the citizen then surely it should
be put on the strongest foundation possible by making
sure it is being doing in the most transparent and
appropriate way."
In a statement issued to Newstalk, Minister Donohoe
claimed that the ID cards are also in the best interest of
our national security.
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe Photo: Tom Burke
He said: "Government has an obligation to deploy the
most robust means of online and physical identity
verification possible to ensure that it is doing all it can to
reduce fraud, personation and the risk of identity theft in
in the delivery/accessing of public services."
Mr O Brien said that while he could see the benefits of the
system, there must be efforts to ensure it's done properly.
He said: "I'm not sure what the Government's difficulty is
in enshrining this in law but what they are trying to do is
introduce an umbrella data sharing bill to give state
agencies a carte blanche to share data on a broad basis.
"That's an attempt to get around the Data Protection Act
requirements under EU law to have a clear statutory basis
for sharing.
"Done right it could be a very good thing, however there's
an incredible lack of controls and transparency in that
legislation, which is before and Oireachtas Committee
tomorrow.
"The Data Protection Commissioner has already raised
concerns about scope creep in relation to this type of
legislation, people still need to be told about sharing of
their data and what is happening with their data."
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/incredible-lack-of-controls-and-
transparency-concerns-over-mandatory-id-cards-to-get-passports-and-driving-
licences-35740890.html
Paschal's Identity Card has made it into The Journal this morning.
Excellent article but beware the comments section because the Trolls
are out in force. Obviously Young Fine Gael have mobilized their elite
troops to defend the Blueshirts latest fascist initiative

Threats, intimidation, the stopping of welfare payments for no

legitimate reason ... this is how Regina Doherty runs the Department of
Social Protection. Regina is working hard on behalf of Fine Gael, the
Blueshirts fascist party to force people to take an ID card. Notice the
word "Urgent". Notice the red letters to add to the aggression. Notice
how the word "must" is highlighted.
Totally illegal, but, never mind fascists don't think their laws apply to them, history proves this beyond any
doubt, take this to court, you WILL win!
When will the blueshirts get it we are tax paying law abiding citizens not CUSTOMERS.All the state
services are psid for by our direct and indirect taxes.We throughout our lives have paid for all state
services
we are not customers we are empoyers,and bad employers at that,no one it seems want to fire them or the
other scammrs of FF,you vote for shit and what do you get ,time on the toilet and vat on the paper,
YOUR DATA WILL NEVER BE SECURE WE NEED MASS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE ON THIS MATTER
BEFORE ITS REALLY TOO LATE WAKE THE FLOCK UP!!!!
The branding of the Blueshirts as NAZIS is only too accurate.

Barcodes on your arse coming soon

Continuity in the availability of goods for the EU and the UK POSITION PAPER
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi
le/638958/Continuity_in_the_availability_of_goods_for_the_EU_and_the_UK_Posit
ion_Paper.pdf
European Medicines Agency (EMA). In a terse "questions and answers"
document, the EMA had stated unequivocally that market authorisations held by
UK pharmaceutical companies would have to be transferred to "a holder
established in the Union (EEA)
http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Other/2017/05/W
C500228739.pdf