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Driving Licences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Ceisteanna (605)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

703 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence regarding the photo ID industry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29322/12]

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Freagraí scríofa

The new plastic card driving licence, which will come into operation from next January under EU Directive 2006/126EC, offers an opportunity to modernise and streamline the system for driver licensing in Ireland and to improve identity security. The Government decided, shortly after coming into office last year, to direct the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to take charge of a new centralised driver licensing system. This system will offer greater efficiency for the customer and greater value for money for the taxpayer.

One of the benefits of the centralised system will be a more robust process of identity confirmation in line with the Government's Standard Authentication Framework Environment (SAFE 2). In the outgoing system, individuals must get a hard copy photo ID and have it endorsed, typically by a member of An Garda Síochána, before submitting it with their driving licence application. The new system will involve the individual producing proof of identity and having their photo captured digitally as part of the application process. I do not accept that use of hard copy photos whose standards might vary greatly would be superior to using digital technology to a set standard.

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