British ID card scheme has implications for Ireland

dahamsta · 13-10-2003 11:59am #1

http://www.enn.ie/frontpage/news-9378173.html

The Sunday Times reports that Britain's foreign secretary, Jack Straw, has said that the Irish government would need to introduce compulsory identity cards for citizens in order for the scheme to work in the UK. In a leaked letter condemning plans for a mandatory ID card scheme in Britain, Straw calls for high-level discussions with the Irish government in advance of making a public statement on introducing the scheme. Straw said that an ID card scheme in Britain would have security and resource implications for the Irish government.

ykt0di9url7bc3 · 13-10-2003 12:04pm

Straw could say that about France or the rest fo the EU....

I dont see the Irish Government jumping on board without a little bit of "good will" from London...

imho

Capt'n Midnight · 13-10-2003 1:46pm

SearrarD - I think the difference between us and France is that there is no passport control between here and the UK.

Also, AFAIAA all the Schengen (SP) countries require carring either a passport or ID card at all times.

So if the Brits demand we need passports, we might as well join Schengen

spongebob · 13-10-2003 5:09pm

Originally posted by Capt'n Midnight
So if the Brits demand we need passports, we might as well join Schengen

Uhhhhhh , we don't have a porous land frontier with Schengen. Straw is quite right in saying that the UK should discuss it with us before they proceed.

The fact that such a discussion takes place does not mean that compulsory national ID and a law forcing the bearing thereof will come in here. (or in the UK) I would point out that carrying a drivers licence is already compulsory here while driving, unlike the UK as I understand it.

Mc Dowell will probably have Barcodes tattood on our arses at birth if he gets the chance

.

M

Floater · 13-10-2003 7:29pm

Originally posted by Capt'n Midnight
SearrarD - I think the difference between us and France is that there is no passport control between here and the UK.

Also, AFAIAA all the Schengen (SP) countries require carring either a passport or ID card at all times.

So if the Brits demand we need passports, we might as well join Schengen

There is no requirement to carry a passport or photo ID in Schengen. It is matter for each member state.

While Ireland has signed Schengen (Feb 2002) it has allowed itself to be dominated by Britain's insular anti-European policies.

As someone who travels regularly between Schengen countries it is far easier to carry an ID and not have to show it than to join a time wasting queue to enter or exit the Schengen area from Europe's police states of McDowell and England. Makes one feel like a third class citizen of Europe.

Ireland has opted for the worst of both worlds.

Floater

Specky · 13-10-2003 10:48pm

Mc Dowell will probably have Barcodes tattood on our arses at birth if he gets the chance .

Oh no, not there...what would be the point of a barcode that only the priest got to see.....allegedly

Capt'n Midnight · 17-10-2003 1:50pm

If it wasn't for the problem of implants "wandering" I reckon we'd all have one in the back of our necks by now. With mandatory detention/DNA sampling for anyone without a functioning one. So handy - no need to buy tickets for cinema or Dart or Bus - it just gets deducted from your bank account when you walk past the scanner....

Maybe they'll just wait for Gattaca type DNA scanners...

spongebob · 17-10-2003 9:43pm

Mc Dowell is not the waiting type is he?

British ID card scheme has implications for Ireland

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