UK calls for co-operation on ID cards

The British Foreign Secretary is calling for high-level discussion with the Irish Government on the issue of compulsory ID cards.

The British Government is examining the idea of introducing the cards there, but Jack Straw says if the plan goes ahead, the Irish Government would need to issue ID cards to its citizens as well.

He cites the fact that there are around one million Irish nationals resident in the UK and that the authorities could be overwhelmed with demands for information on those citizens should British ID cards be issued.