[ILUG] After e-voting scandal, calls on Cullen to resign.

[Ciaran Mac Lochlainn]

Bryan O'Donoghue wrote:

>
> I think this post on /. sums it up well.
>
> http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=105937&cid=9019001
>
> Mr Cullen apparently claimed the Irish computer Society, is a linked 
> to the anti-globalisation movement.

True.

>
> Is this true, does, the 'Minister' have any evidence for this, or is 
> it completely made up?

He has it on good authority from the Dept of Justice apparently.

>
> Is this really the standard of debate in the Dáil?

Yes. See below...

>
> Shocking.

I see I need at a recognised third level qualification in IT or a 
primary degree to even be considered for professional ICS wombleship. 
Maybe I should try a less exclusive arm of the anti-globalisation 
movement... ;-)



Mr. Allen: The Government promised to deal with the issue of spoilt votes.
[BIG SNIP]
Electronic voting is a good idea but this system has been badly thought
through and public confidence has been badly shaken by a Government
unwilling to listen to anyone but its own so-called experts. The Government
has called the introduction of this system a step forward, a point
reiterated by the Minister. I submit that it is a retrograde step based on
insufficient knowledge on the use of technology. The Minister has a new toy
and thought everyone would like it. They do not. The Irish Computer Society
said: “Any electronic voting system must include a paper-based
voter-verified audit trail.” The Minister in his arrogance recently said
these people were cranks and Luddites
Mr. Durkan: Are they cranks?
Mr. Cullen: They are linked to the anti-globalisation movement. The Deputy
should check them out. They are all the same.
Mr. Allen: It is all a --
Mr. Cullen: If Fine Gael bases its policies on such people, it is no wonder
it is in decline.
Mr. Durkan: The people concerned are computer experts.
Mr. Allen: We do not know what the Minister’s policies are and where he
stands on any matter.
Mr. Kehoe: The Minister should know more about policy having been a member
of more than one party.
Mr. Allen: Irish technology experts have told the Government its system 
must
include a paper-based voter-verified audit trail.
Mr. Cullen: They are not experts in this field.
Mr. Allen: The Minister has made a serious allegation about genuine people
-- 
Mr. Cullen: They are not accredited to anything. They have no expertise or
international accreditation.
(Interruptions).
Mr. Ring: Fianna Fáil are experts on everything. They have filled every
tribunal in the country.
Mr. Allen: The Minister has come to this House and --
Acting Chairman: Deputy Allen should direct his comments through the Chair.
Mr. Allen: The Chair should ask the Minister to cease interrupting.
Mr. Cullen: Such comments are pathetic. It is no wonder Fine Gael is in 
such
a disorderly state.
Mr. Ring: Fianna Fáil are the experts.
Acting Chairman: I remind Members that this is not a Committee Stage 
debate.
We are dealing with Second Stage and I ask Deputies to allow Deputy 
Allen to
continue without interruption, please.
Mr. Allen: The Minister has vilified people who cannot protect themselves.
Mr. Durkan: Outside the House.
Mr. Allen: The Minister should withdraw the allegation against --
Mr. Cullen: I have not vilified them. I said they are not accredited --
Mr. Allen: The Minister said they are linked to the anti-globalisation
movement and suggested we should check them out.
Mr. Cullen: Yes, they are.
Acting Chairman: Deputy Allen, please continue.
Mr. Allen: The Minister should withdraw that allegation against people who
cannot protect themselves.
Mr. Cullen: I will not.
Acting Chairman: Deputy Allen, please continue.
Mr. Durkan: The Minister has cast aspersions on people outside this House.
In accordance with Standing Orders --
Mr. Cullen: I think they are proud of their links.
Mr. Durkan: On a point of order, the making of such an allegation is not in
accordance with the Standing Orders of this House. Perhaps the Minister
would like to comment.
Acting Chairman: The Chair has ruled on that matter.
Mr. Durkan: No, I am sorry, I do not agree. On a point of order, the
Minister has cast aspersions --
Mr. Cullen: I paid them a compliment.
Mr. Durkan: The Minister has cast aspersions on people outside this House.
Mr. Cullen: They will regard my remarks as a compliment, a badge of honour.
Mr. Durkan: Perhaps the Minister will repeat the compliment.
Acting Chairman: Deputy Durkan, the Minister has not cast aspersions on an
individual. Deputy Allen, please continue.
Mr. Allen: I will continue but I believe the Minister has sunk to a new 
low.
Anybody who does not agree with his policies or party are cranks,
anti-social and anti-everything. That is the Minister’s standard.
Irish technology experts have told the Government its system must include a
paper audit trail but the Government will not listen to them, nor will it
listen to public opinion and certainly not to Opposition spokespersons.
Surely, the Government knows by now that this system cannot proceed. It 
will
have to be convinced that our democracy is worth more to us than this
system.
A paper audit trail will solve many of the problems of trust and 
suitability
inherent in the design of this system. A person will be able to press
his-her buttons of preference, view a print-out of it behind a perspex
window, verify it is the vote he-she wishes to cast and watch it
mechanically dropped into a sealed ballot box.
The Minister said today that there had been a pilot project in Belgium that
did not work out. That is the first that we have heard of that.


-- 
If you put tomfoolery into a computer, nothing comes out
but tomfoolery.  But this tomfoolery, having passed through
a very expensive machine, is somehow ennobled and no-one
dare criticise it.
                -- Pierre Gallois