Vol. 498 No. 1
328 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress, if any, made on the promised introduction of a national identity card; and if he will reconsider his decision to make this a voluntary rather than a mandatory scheme. [26623/98]
I have no proposals, as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to introduce a national identity card scheme. However, I have already informed the House, in response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 27 and 34 of 20 October 1998, that arrangements for the introduction of a voluntary age card scheme on the basis of provisions in the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988 are at an advanced stage of preparation. These regulations will be introduced as quickly as possible.
The 1988 Act provides only for the introduction of a voluntary age card scheme and I have no plans to amend the law in this regard to provide for a mandatory scheme.
