Ireland's Small Claims Court goes online: The Courts Service in Ireland has unveiled an online facility that aims to simplify the small claims procedure. The Small Claims Court handles petitions in relation to faulty goods or services, minor damage to property or the non-return of a deposit in relation to a holiday premises. A pilot scheme of the service is available to residents in 16 towns across the country, who can use it to access the legal system without the need to attend a court office. With the online system, users can create a small claim application via www.smallclaims.ie, pay the set fee of EUR15 online and check the status of their claim on the site. A confidential PIN will be e-mailed to users so they can access and view their claim at any time. The facility will be rolled out for all 44 District Court offices by the end of February 2007. For more on this story, see ENN.
EU looks to INSPIRE spatial database: The European Parliament and the European Council have agreed a directive for a new database aimed at sharing map-based information across the EU. The database, known as INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the Community), was originally proposed in 2004 and could now be up and running by early 2009. The system's objective is to pool geographical data -- for example, satellite images, temperature records and rainfall data -- generated by Member States, in order to improve planning in areas such as the environment, transport, energy and agriculture. Under the directive, public authorities holding relevant data will be obliged to share it with each other, and they must allow the public to view data for free. A portal will be developed to provide a single entry point for users to access the INSPIRE database, which will be searchable and allow different types of data to be cross-referenced, e.g. emissions or environmental data can be combined with data on population density.
Motorola wins Norwegian passport contract: Motorola has won a contract to provide the Norwegian government with technology for the collection and verification of biometric data for Norwegian passports, visas and other travel documents. The wireless equipment manufacturer says its solution will be one of the first in Europe to follow EU standards for passport and visa application systems that include fingerprints, 2D facial recognition and signature capture. Motorola refers to this as a "multi-mode mix" that helps to ensure data integrity and security by enabling several sources of identification, as opposed to just one. Motorola will supply around 700 "fixed enrolment stations" for passport and visa applications throughout Norway, along with a further 100 portable versions for use in Norwegian embassies and other locations worldwide. The software used in these stations will make the passport and visa application process easy for applicants and minimise the level of support required from government staff, according to Motorola.
UK government portal goes mobile: Directgov, the UK government's online portal for public services, has just launched a version of the site for mobile devices. Interactive agency Cimex was commissioned to develop the mobile service, available at www.direct.gov.uk/mobile on internet-enabled mobile phones and devices. Users of the mobile site can enter a postcode to search for local information, including solicitors, legal advice, councils, and where to access the internet. They can also use the site to connect to the Learndirect advice line for free careers and education information. There are plans to develop the mobile site over the next few months, to offer 3G services such as video content and provide access to local health, education and travel services.
Fingerprint ID market set to grow in US: The market for automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) in the US is set to reach USD160 million a year by 2010, according to a new report by government market analyst INPUT. The research firm predicts that the AFIS market for state and local justice and public safety will grow to USD100 million, while the market for all other state and local agencies is expected to hit USD60 million. "In state and local, this transition marks the beginning of a true lifecycle-oriented approach to justice and public safety AFIS that will involve fewer long-term overhauls and more technology upgrades and refreshes every three to five years," said Chris Dixon, senior industry analyst at INPUT. "More sophisticated jurisdictions will also begin implementing vendor-neutral and standards-based architectures that will allow them to plug-and-play various AFIS components rather than be locked into a particular proprietary system throughout their jurisdiction."
Autor(en)/Author(s): Sylvia Leatham
Quelle/Source: ElectricNews, 06.12.2006
