National Identity Card

WolfForager

So who here is for and against the introduction of a National ID card?

I can't really see any downsides to it and we're one of two countries in the EU who don't have one.

We could travel anywhere in the EU with a small card that fits in your wallet. I hate taking my passport anywhere as the odds of it falling out of your pocket or out of my bag are too damn high, especially in my extra paranoid mind on a day of travel.

The "National Age Card" system could be scrapped, alot handier in general for proving your over 18.

Now we don't need to go the route of what the UK were trying to do a few years ago with the bio-metric data and such. But it would be handy to have informations such as your DOB, address, blood type etc on it.

I haven't heard anything in the news about it in a long time, I think last year President Higgins was urging for the introduction of a National ID card as soon as possible, since then, not much. Has there been talk about it more recently that I've been missing?

What say you AH?

Mr. Manager

I can't see any cons to having one. It's such a simple thing that I think every coutnry should have.

Where I live people who have national ID cards get discounts on certain things like travel and health care. Stuff like that could be a good incentive to get one.

Stripey Cat

Some jumped up Garda demanding to "see my papers"? No thanks.

Unless you're saying it would be voluntary to carry it, in which case it would be pointless.

mattjack

I carry a doner card, handy for when I want kebab.

OU812

^ there's always one...

We should have had one by now, they'll probably mess up the implementation & yes it should be mandatory to carry & produce if requested.

It should be readable & also serve as driving licence etc

WolfForager

OU812 wrote: »

^ there's always one...

We should have had one by now, they'll probably mess up the implementation & yes it should be mandatory to carry & produce if requested.

It should be readable & also serve as driving licence etc

Actually didn't even think of that. Brilliant idea!

Mr. Manager

Stripey Cat wrote: »

Some jumped up Garda demanding to "see my papers"? No thanks.

Unless you're saying it would be voluntary to carry it, in which case it would be pointless.

To this day I still don't get the problem with a Guarda asking to see your ID. If you've nothing to hide, then just show your card and get it over with instead of rabbling off some freestate bullshít and posting it on YouTube about how you "stuck it to them man".

mikemac1

I'm all for it if we can send the Corkonians back to where they belong

First Explorer

It could't hurt, I'd prefere a card to a passport it would stand a better chance of survival after a wash in the washing machine.

Colmustard

I have no qualms about having one, but I would paying for one.

I remember the British one was going to cost 60 pounds.

Eutow

We should have had one introduced years ago. Most other European countries have one. I'm currently living abroad and when I told one of my friends that Ireland does not have a national ID card he couldn't believe it. It would come in very useful because it means not having to carry a passport when you go out, particularly if you don't have a licence.

hoodwinked

i thought we were getting this in the form of a credit card like driving licence,

i was told they'd be in before this year is out!

mattjack

OU812 wrote: »

^ there's always one...

We should have had one by now, they'll probably mess up the implementation & yes it should be mandatory to carry & produce if requested.

It should be readable & also serve as driving licence etc

Indeed there is ' always one ' as you put it.
This being AH you may learn to expect a few more 'ones'.

As for a National ID card , I would be pretty impressed if we managed to conjure up an ID card that could work as a driving licence , student ID , travel pass, passport , RSI card etc ... in time we might manage it, though would we re issue every few years as people age etc.

I can see certain politicians eye's light up as they conjure up charges for it.

Who should or should not be allowed ask to see it ? I'd have no problem with a Garda , but there are people who I wouldn.t want to see it.

Stripey Cat

Cereal Rapist wrote: »

To this day I still don't get the problem with a Guarda asking to see your ID. If you've nothing to hide, then just show your card and get it over with instead of rabbling off some freestate bullshít and posting it on YouTube about how you "stuck it to them man".

Do you really want to go over the "if you've nothing to hide you've nothing to fear" argument?

Privacy is not about hiding, it's about being able to live your life and go about your business without the assumption that some agent of the state can stop you and demand you prove you are who say you are.

Cool_CM

I don't see the point in not having them. Something that is universally accepted as a form of ID and in place of a passport within the Eu that everybody is issued when they reach a certain age which will fit in your wallet.
I really don't get the whole "infringing on personal liberty" argument.

endofrainbow

WolfForager wrote: »

So who here is for and against the introduction of a National ID card?

I can't really see any downsides to it and we're one of two countries in the EU who don't have one.

We could travel anywhere in the EU with a small card that fits in your wallet. I hate taking my passport anywhere as the odds of it falling out of your pocket or out of my bag are too damn high, especially in my extra paranoid mind on a day of travel.

The "National Age Card" system could be scrapped, alot handier in general for proving your over 18.

Now we don't need to go the route of what the UK were trying to do a few years ago with the bio-metric data and such. But it would be handy to have informations such as your DOB, address, blood type etc on it.

I haven't heard anything in the news about it in a long time, I think last year President Higgins was urging for the introduction of a National ID card as soon as possible, since then, not much. Has there been talk about it more recently that I've been missing?

What say you AH?

I wouldn't be in favour of my address being on it

opti76

i wouldnt be in favour of addresses being on it simply because id have had to have gotten mine replaced about 18 times by now.

ive lived in cork kerry tipp dublin and meath.

NegativeCreep

I'd be in favour of the National Identity card but I don't think the age card thing should be scrapped. I'm only after applying for the thing after a year of saying that I should probably apply for it. If they got rid of it now I'd go mad :L

dlofnep

If it was 20 or 30 euro, I'd get it. Anymore than that, no chance.

Katunga

if its free i'd have no problem with it.

K.Flyer

Personally I dont see anything wrong with it.
Most national id cards that I have seen have a photo, date of birth, nationality, and the equivelant of your pps number. Some even have a finger print.
Integrating it with your driving licence is a great idea which all motorists are obliged to carry nowadays anyway. However not sure if its practical as not everyone drives.

Herb Powell

Cereal Rapist wrote: »

To this day I still don't get the problem with a Guarda asking to see your ID. If you've nothing to hide, then just show your card and get it over with instead of rabbling off some freestate bullshít and posting it on YouTube about how you "stuck it to them man".

Fucck that.

jumpguy

How is the issue of enforcing whether it's carried on your person enforced in other countries? I can see that being the major issue. As one above poster said, it'd be sort pointless if you didn't have to carry it with you and could just leave it in a drawer at home.

I'd say the most reasonable way of enforcing it would be that not having the ID card can only be charged in conjunction with some other offence (like public disorder and so on.)

Besides my ponderment on how best to enforce it, I don't see any problem with the concept, as long as it didn't cost over 25€ to buy. It could be extremely useful in so many regards, especially if it was electronic - storing health information in case of emergency hospitalisations, criminal records, driving certifications, and so on. If you've nothing to hide, what's the problem?

Mr. Manager

Stripey Cat wrote: »

Do you really want to go over the "if you've nothing to hide you've nothing to fear" argument?

Privacy is not about hiding, it's about being able to live your life and go about your business without the assumption that some agent of the state can stop you and demand you prove you are who say you are.

I don't mind going over the discussion, I've hours to kill and nothing to hide.

Before we go any further on this, what is the problem with a Guarda asking to see your identity?

Stripey Cat

Cool_CM wrote: »

I really don't get the whole "infringing on personal liberty" argument.

Privacy is important to some people. The right to walk around in your own country without having to explain yourself to anyone.

A law would have to back up an identity card making it compulsory to carry it, and show it to the police on request. Refusing to carry one or show one would have to made a criminal offence.

Would you really be happy to give the gardai this power? To demand the ID of Irish citizens in Ireland, on pain of arrest and prosecution?

That doesn't bother you even a little?

IvySlayer

Cereal Rapist wrote: »

To this day I still don't get the problem with a Guarda asking to see your ID. If you've nothing to hide, then just show your card and get it over with instead of rabbling off some freestate bullshít and posting it on YouTube about how you "stuck it to them man".

Sorry to drag this off topic a bit, but if I didn't commit a crime then I don't have to give them anything.

Jesus Shaves

First Explorer wrote: »

It could't hurt, I'd prefere a card to a passport it would stand a better chance of survival after a wash in the washing machine.

I don't understand how anyone can put their passport in the washing machine, unless they're planning on sending their clothes out foreign

Mr. Manager

Stripey Cat wrote: »

Privacy is important to some people. The right to walk around in your own country without having to explain yourself to anyone.

A law would have to back up an identity card making it compulsory to carry it, and show it to the police on request. Refusing to carry one or show one would have to made a criminal offence.

Would you really be happy to give the gardai this power? To demand the ID of Irish citizens in Ireland, on pain of arrest and prosecution?

That doesn't bother you even a little?

Oh god forbid someone might ask you your name... what is the world coming to.



And to answer your question, no, it doesn't bother me. Not in the slightest.

Stripey Cat

Cereal Rapist wrote: »

I don't mind going over the discussion, I've hours to kill and nothing to hide.

I bet you have some things you'd like to keep private, though.

Cereal Rapist wrote: »

Before we go any further on this, what is the problem with a Guarda asking to see your identity?

As an Irish citizen, in Ireland, I don't currently have to prove my identity.

Can you explain why the law should be changed so I should have to?

Mr. Manager

IvySlayer wrote: »

Sorry to drag this off topic a bit, but if I didn't commit a crime then I don't have to give them anything.

So if you didn't commit a crime why would you not just show your ID card?

By not doing so you are only going to make both you and the officials day that bit longer.

Stripey Cat

Cereal Rapist wrote: »

Oh god forbid someone might ask you your name... what is the world coming to.



And to answer your question, no, it doesn't bother me. Not in the slightest.

It bothers me. Why should I (and anyone else who doesn't want this) be forced to adopt it?