Youth federation challenge McDowell on ID cards

Government proposals to introduce ID cards for people under 23 are coming under fire from Ireland's biggest youth organisation.

The National Youth Federation is opposing the new proposal to issue the ID cards.

The news comes despite the announcement by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell that the new ID card will help curb under age drinking.

However, Chief Executive officer with the youth group, Diarmuid Kearney, insists that the move is not necessary.

He says that other measures such as a tax on drink producers to fund an education programme would be more useful.