Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 9

Written Answers. - National Identity Cards.

Liz O'Donnell

Ceist:

81 Ms O'Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will recommend the issue of national identity cards for travel within the European Union in lieu of passports which Irish citizens have to use at present, unlike the citizens of most other member states, in view of the fact that Irish passports are more expensive than passports in other countries; his views on whether the required use of passports by citizens of the European Union for travel within the Union is against both the spirit and the letter of the Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty. [1443/94]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The possible introduction of a national identity card is a complex issue which would require in-depth debate; its introduction could not be justified simply as a low cost alternative to a passport. The standard fee of £45 for an Irish passport, valid for ten years, does not compare unfavourably with the European Union average. The Irish fee is about half way down the EU cost table; in six other member states the comparable fee is higher while in five it is lower.

Given the travel patterns of Irish people, a high proportion would continue to require a passport with worldwide validity even if a separate document for EU travel were available. The administrative difficulties involved in the production of dual travel documents would be unlikely to be justified in cost-benefit terms.

The general issue of co-operation with EU partners on freedom of movement and immigration control is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice. Measures to give full effect to the freedom of movement provisions in the Maastricht Treaty have yet to be adopted by the EU. The use of passports, as distinct from national identity cards, has not emerged as an issue in the context of implementation of the Treaty.