British ID card scheme could affect Irish citizens

BRITAIN’S introduction of identity cards could create serious difficulties for a number of Irish citizens, an Anglo-Irish political conference heard yesterday.

The British government failed to adequately consider the implications its scheme could have for Ireland, the conference was told.

The ID cards will be introduced in Britain on a phased basis from 2008, with holders’ details entered on a national identity register.

The British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body (BIIPB), an organisation established in 1990 to foster greater understanding between the Oireachtas and British parliaments and assemblies, heard yesterday of the problems the ID scheme could cause.

A committee of the BIIPB, led by Fine Gael TD Jim O’Keeffe and British Labour MP Andrew MacKinlay, began an inquiry into the scheme last year. The committee presented its report to the BIIPB at its conference in Killarney, Co Kerry yesterday.

Potential problems which arose from an Irish perspective fell into three categories.

Firstly, there were implications for Irish people living in Britain or the North, the committee found.

The Home Office has indicated that these people will be granted a card which states their nationality as Irish, but, crucially, it would not have the same status as the standard British card.

Secondly, there was the question of compatibility with the Good Friday Agreement, which allows people in the North to identify themselves as Irish or British, or both if they wish.

“The current proposals do not envisage a card allowing for dual nationality,” Mr O’Keeffe said.

Thirdly, there could be implications for the Common Travel Area, under which Irish and British citizens can travel freely between the two countries without a passport.

However, photo identification is required, and the committee fears the British ID card could cause confusion because the Home Office is planning on issuing a “plain” ID card, which would not be valid for travel, to Irish people working but not resident in Britain.

The committee recommended that the British government ensure the integrity of the Common Travel Area is maintained when introducing the ID card scheme, and give due consideration to Irish people in the North and Britain.