Vol. 558 No. 2
128 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if staff of clubs and bars are entitled to request the production of a passport as evidence of age, even where other certificates of age, approved by the Garda have been presented by young people seeking admission; and his views on the circumstances in which bodies which have no statutory authority can require the presentation of a passport. [23982/02]
I understand it is now common practice for clubs and bars to require the presentation of photo-identification by persons seeking entry to their premises to verify that they meet the age requirements set down by law. It is a matter for these institutions to determine which forms of identity are acceptable for this purpose.
While, historically, passports were used primarily as identification documents for foreign travel, their use for other purposes, including age verification for entry to clubs and bars, has become more widespread in recent times. I have no objection to this practice provided the conditions on which the passport is issued, including that it should not be allowed to pass into the possession of an unauthorised person and that it remains the property of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, are respected.
I am aware that another form of photo identification for entry to clubs and bars, the age card, is issued by the Garda Síochána under the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988 (Age Card) Regulations, 1999. Questions regarding the application of these regulations should be addressed to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
