Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

When young people try to gain access to discos and nightclubs where alcohol is served they are rightly required to present identification to prove their age. Many of them obtain so-called age cards from the Garda Síochána, but it can take from three to six months to issue such cards. This means that, in the interim, young people must present their passports in order to gain access to clubs. This situation is totally unacceptable because many passports are lost or stolen as a result. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform should expedite this matter, which is being dealt with by the Garda Síochána's community services section. The section, which is mostly staffed by civilians, currently has inadequate resources. Why is it taking from three to six months to produce these cards? When students register for college such cards can be issued within a matter of hours. This should be dealt with as a matter of urgency.