Higgins: National identity card system should be introduced without delay

NATIONAL identity cards should be introduced without delay to ensure the state knows exactly who is living in the country, according to MEP Jim Higgins.

The census showed there are 100,000 more people in the country than were previously thought and cards issued by local authorities would prevent this state of affairs in the future, said Mr Higgins.

All EU countries, except Ireland and Britain, have identity cards for everyone living within their borders, and with workers from other EU countries free to come and work in the country, it was time Ireland introduced them too, he said.

“There are people here for three and four years, and we have no idea that they have come to live here. Mainland European countries operate a much tighter system”, he said.

The European Parliament member for Ireland North West said that every person living in these countries, whether native or from outside the state, had to register with their local authority.

People born there received an identity number at birth, while others coming to live there registered.

“In Belgium and France for example, you arrive with your passport, fill out a form, a check is done by the police to see that you live where you say you do, and the city knows exactly how many people are living in its area,” he said.

“This is not about becoming a nanny state. Not knowing how many people are living in a particular country or in the state has significant impact on how the state plans for the future,” Mr Higgins said.

He believes that having a national identity card scheme would also help clamp down on social welfare fraud and tax evasion as the card would have to be produced when making claims from the state and in this way it would pay for itself.

“It would also ensure that the gardaí are more easily able to identify who is living where, and keep an eye on anti-social behaviour,” he added.

Britain abandoned elaborate plans to introduce identity cards two years ago following uproar from citizens and rows over the estimated cost of £5bn (€5.58bn).

However all non-EU nationals are issued with them.