Mr. Liam Herrick:

In the course of this discussion, we have referred to 3 million cards. That is the figure given by the Government. We have no information on who those 3 million people are. It would be helpful if that was clarified. Given that persons under 18 years of age typically would not have been asked to access a card at this point and given that people who are not in receipt of social welfare payments, maternity benefits or other benefits are not asked to provide a card, it would be surprising if there were 3 million people already on the system. We have been informed that is the case but it would be helpful to get a breakdown. We are of the view that it is disproportionately people who are dependent for their survival on social protection and pension payments. That gives rise to a vulnerable section of the population who might feel easily put under pressure to participate in a database system about which they may be uncomfortable. It would take somebody of a particularly resolute nature to forgo essential payments because of a point of principle, but individuals have done that.