Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the purpose of the Senator's amendment but the matter is well and truly dealt with and the position is clear. The Central Bank of Ireland is the body that will determine the position where a PPS number is not available and it will require a relevant identifier to its satisfaction. The normal procedure in place requires not just a passport number but actual copies of the passport to verify the individual. There may not be the equivalent of a PPS in several other countries and, in that case, everybody will have to produce a passport. The Central Bank has the authority to determine precisely what form of identification is required, whether a PPS number or a passport, depending on the nationality of the person involved. The onus is on the Central Bank to satisfy itself as to the identity of the person involved. I am satisfied the Central Bank will do the job it is required to do under the legislation.

The PPS number would be the most common identifier and it is mentioned. However, if we were to tie the Central Bank's hands by prescribing one, two, three or four particular forms of identification from across the globe, and try to put that into this legislation, we would inevitably leave out something. We are giving the authority to the Central Bank to determine the relevant identifiers in the absence of a PPS number. I am not in a position to accept the amendment.