Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2005
156 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are grounds upon which the gardaí can refuse to issue a person with a Garda identity card; and if so, the grounds upon which the card may be denied. [2229/05]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to the age card issued by the Garda Síochána in order to confirm that the person to whom it has been issued has attained the legal age for the purchase of intoxicating liquor.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the application procedure for the age card is governed by the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 1999, made under the provisions of section 40 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, and which provides for a voluntary age card scheme. Applicants who fail to meet the necessary application criteria may be refused an age card.
The relevant age card regulations — the full regulations are set out in SI No. 4 of 1999 — are as follows: applicants must have attained the age of 18 years and shall present his/her application in writing, on the designated application form, to the Garda station in the area in which he/she resides. The application form must be accompanied by the applicant's birth certificate, at least one other document confirming identity, two recent identical passport sized photographs and the prescribed fee of €6.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that if the member in charge at the Garda station is not satisfied, on the basis of the application, of the identity of the applicant, or that he/she has attained the age of 18 years, the member shall make whatever other reasonable inquiries he/she deems necessary or shall request the applicant to produce whatever reasonable information the member deems necessary to establish the identity or verify the age of the applicant.
