Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator Higgins covered many topics in her contribution. Public services cards were originally brought in in the context of old age pensioners and their access to transport. That was leading to problems. The idea was they would not have to carry something in their pocket but would instead have a card. The scope of these cards has broadened without serious discussion and debate in this building. The primary legislation that needs to be in place has not been passed yet. That is very serious, and I am very concerned about it. I do not have a public services card and I will not get one until I am confident that it is safe, secure and has all the legislative backup it needs. The data on the cards can be breached so easily, as we have seen in India. I am not sure how much protection and primary legislation there was in India when the cards were brought in. Was it brought in in the same way we are bringing it in here?

The private sector is also involved. The drivers licence sector is now run by a private company, and they can use a person's information and pass it on. That is very serious, and unless one is very on the ball from the point of view of awareness of what he is she is signing, it is very dangerous. This committee should perhaps look for a debate on this issue in the Dáil in the near future. If we decide that there are still things that have to be done before the public services card can be rolled out fully we should slow the pace down on its implementation. I would be interested in having that debate because it is a very serious issue. The British Labour Party brought in a similar card under Tony Blair and then tried to extend its remit. I am not necessarily opposed to an ID card, but not if it is brought in under the radar. It should be discussed and there should be public debate on it.

Is anybody who refused to accept the card waiting for any payments owed to them? If there are any problems like that what stage are they at?