Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 227: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in having Garda identification cards issued to persons who are eighteen years and over; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that applicants have to wait over three months to receive their ID cards; and if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that they cannot apply until after they reach the age of 18 years. [33872/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 4 of 1999) provide for a voluntary national age card scheme. Section 4 of the Regulations provides that any person who has attained 18 years of age may apply for an age card at his/her local Garda Station in order to confirm that they have attained the legal age for the purchase of intoxicating liquor. Applicants who fail to meet the necessary application criteria may be refused an age card.

Applicants must have attained the age of 18 years and shall present his/her application in writing, on the designated application form, to the Garda station in the area in which he/she resides. The application form must be accompanied by the applicant's birth certificate, at least one other document confirming identity, two recent identical passport sized photographs and the prescribed fee of €6.00.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who administer the national age card scheme, that on average there is currently an eight week delay in the issue of cards. However, individual applications can be delayed longer than this if the application form has not been completed properly and has to be returned for amendment. The current age card is due to be replaced shortly and a new application process will be put in place which will allow for faster processing of applications and the eradication of delays in the process.