Vol. 523 No. 4
203 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has examined the feasibility of the Viage age verification system; and if he will have considerations made into using the system nationally to combat underage drinking. [21215/00]
The Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 1999, S.I. No. 4 of 1999, provide for a voluntary national age card scheme whereby any person who has attained 18 years of age may apply for an age card at his-her local Garda station in order to confirm that they have attained the legal age for the purchase of intoxicating liquor. The regulations came into effect on 19 April 1999. The Garda community relations section in Harcourt Square have been given responsibility, under the regulations, for the issuing of the cards. A total of 16,100 age cards have been issued as of the beginning of October 2000 and an average of 150 applications are being received daily.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that a written proposal has been submitted by a company relating to age cards. The company has proposed that it replace the existing age cards and introduce a system called Viage, which is an age verification system using a swipe card and an electronic verification unit. The introduction of this system would mean that owners of licensed premises etc. would each have to purchase a verification unit.
I am also advised that members of the Garda Síochána met with representatives of the company last month and were given a demonstration of the Viage system.
The representatives of the company were informed that while the Garda Síochána would consider their submission without delay, further information on the Viage system was required before it could be fully assessed. The representatives from the company undertook to obtain and submit this information and accepted that it was not feasible for the Garda Síochána to fairly assess their proposal without being in possession of this further information.
I am further advised by the Garda authorities that the feasibility of the Viage verification system cannot be adequately examined pending receipt of the additional information sought.
The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to make any other comment on the proposal at this stage.
