Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2005
158 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the Cider Industry Council’s call for mandatory identification cards to assist its members overcome the difficulties they are encountering with forged identity cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3280/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the introduction of a mandatory identification card is a complex issue which would require in-depth debate. Depending on the outcome of such a debate, responsibility for such a measure could fall to any one of a number of Ministers. The obligation to produce an age document to gain admission to the bar of licensed premises is intended to assist licensees to comply with legislative provisions relating to underage consumption of alcohol and to assist the Garda in enforcing the law.
The national age card scheme was initiated in April 1999 under the provisions of section 40 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988. The scheme was introduced to help curb the growth in under age drinking by introducing a specially designed age card. Section 40 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 provides that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may by regulations provide for the issue of an age card to those who have attained 18 years of age and are, therefore, legally entitled to purchase and consume alcohol in licensed premises. The Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 1999 set out detailed provisions in relation to the application and authentication procedure as well as procedures for the preparation and issue of age cards. To date, over 189,000 cards have been issued by the Garda authorities.
I would encourage licensees to accept the Garda age card as an age document for the purposes of section 15 of the 2003 Act. If a licensee suspects that such a card has been forged or altered, the Garda should be notified as it is an offence to forge a document purporting to be an age card, alter an age card, or use such a document or an altered age card with intent to deceive. In the absence of such a suspicion, I can see no reason a licensee should refuse to accept a Garda age card as an age document.
