Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

While I had not intended speaking on this amendment, having listened to the argument proposed, it strikes me that there is probably more personal information on a credit card than on a passport. Yet while we have no difficulty with the bank knowing all our details, we have considerable difficulty with governments knowing it. I would be the first person to say that individuals have a right to their privacy. However, bearing in mind the proposed introduction by regulation of biometric details, it strikes me that this is precisely what we should seek for people with responsibility for small children. Recent events should remind us that we should have as much information as possible on small children, particularly if they are to cross borders. I am not sure how that should be done while accommodating the sensitivities of people who clearly have objections, which I do not dismiss. However, we need to think carefully about the matter and keep in mind that a passport is a travel document concerned with ensuring that a citizen travels safely and is protected. If those citizens happen to be vulnerable and there is a way to ensure their further protection, we should put that in place. I am sure there would be major objections to what I am saying. We need to be very measured and sensible about how we do this.

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