Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I saw one of the new cards yesterday and they are basically of the same standard as a passport. To believe that one can get duplicate cards with the same face and signature registered electronically is like saying three or four passports can be obtained by one person at the passport office. Significant controls have been introduced with electronic issuing of passports to ensure that is not possible, and this is one of the attractions of the new card.

The Senator asked a question about fingerprinting equipment. I understand there were some IR issues to be resolved and the Minister has asked that the matters be expedited and resolved. That does not relate to my Department. The staff in my Department have been amenable to change and a substantial amount of new technology has been introduced. As part of the Croke Park agreement, new technology is developed, in many cases, in consultation with front-line staff who know best what the challenges are. Having staff involved in the process from the beginning means they buy into the introduction of new technology. This would not be the case if was imposed from the top down.