National ID card plans shelved: ThePost.ie


TCH Archives > Sunday Business Post > 2006/02/19 > National ID card plans shelved

National ID card plans shelved
Sunday, February 19, 2006 - By Pat Leahy
The government no longer believes that identity cards will be needed as a response to their introduction in Britain. The British government has told Irish officials that the imminent introduction of ID cards in Britain will not affect Irish citizens moving between the two countries.

Last year, the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, said he ‘‘reluctantly’’ accepted that Ireland might have to introduce identity cards when Britain went ahead with its plans. After the London bombings on July 7 last year, senior government sources said Ireland would have ‘‘no alternative’’ but to follow suit.

However, as a result of changes to British legislation and meetings between the British Home Office and the Department of Justice, the government believes that Irish cards will not be needed.

‘‘The Irish government has been informed by the British government that the introduction of a national ID card in that jurisdiction will not in any way affect the movements of Irish citizens within the common travel area,” said a spokesman for the department.

British MPs voted last week to introduce ID cards in Britain, although further legislation will be needed to make carrying the cards compulsory.

Any British scheme will also apply to the North, although Irish citizens or those entitled to Irish citizenship in the North will qualify for a card which defines their nationality as Irish.