Cianan Brennan: Why didn't government admit its error with biometric public services cards?

Data Protection Commission slapped a fine of €550,000 — more than half the maximum allowable — on the State

Governments and ministers, including former social protection minister Regina Doherty, argued for years that the public services card did not carry biometric data, despite it being plainly obvious that it did. File picture: Fergal Phillips

Six years ago, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) went mano-a-mano with the government of the day over the infamous public services card, and ended up in a long legal war of attrition.

That battle involved a simple question: Could the card be used as a catch-all portal for citizens accessing the State’s services, regardless of their wishes?