Vol. 534 No. 1
193 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has any plans to introduce a compulsory identification card scheme for young people in order to make an impact on the number of persons participating in under age drinking. [10071/01]
I have already indicated to the House on a number of occasions in reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 21 of 13 April 2000 and 204 of 10 October 2000 and in the course of the Adjournment debate of 28 February last on the subject matter that the intoxicating liquor law provides only for a voluntary age card scheme and I have no plans to amend that law to provide for a mandatory scheme. The age card scheme, which I initiated by way of regulations under the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988, is for persons who are legally entitled to purchase or consume alcohol and who wish to do so. It would make no sense to make the scheme mandatory because it would then apply to all persons, even those who do not wish to enter a licensed premises.
