ID cards may be introduced here if adopted in Britain

Ireland may have to create an ID card system if they are introduced in Britain.

However, the Minister for Justice Michael Mc Dowell says any Irish scheme would operate on a voluntary basis for those who travel to the UK frequently.

Talks on the impact of Britain's ID cards on Irish people are expected to be held with the British Home Secretary Charles Clarke soon in Dublin.

Mr Clarke predicted that the UK ID card system will have an effect on Irish citizens. At the moment, it is not compulsory for them to show a passport when travelling to the UK, but that will change if the cards are voted through Westminster.

It remains unclear whether or not the ID cards will also have to have fingerprints and other biometric information, such as eye scans.