Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)

Britain's digital ID card - the so-called "Brit-card" - may be a domestic policy, but the consequences will not respect borders. By making the ID digital card mandatory for work, housing and basic services, Britain risks displacing thousands of people from the grey economy. If we consider for a moment where these people will go, are they likely to return home or to come to Ireland via the North? We already know that 88% of all asylum applicants come via the North of Ireland. We must work proactively and not reactively in relation to this issue. We must address this matter before the spillover arrives in Ireland. I call on the Government to establish an Irish Sea border to check Irish ports and airports. We must get ahead of this problem before the situation presents itself. Ireland cannot become Britain's overflow. Indeed, Ireland cannot become the big brother's playground either. The other big issue here is around control in relation to digital IDs.

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