Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 537: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce a national identity card; if he has assessed the potential savings to the Exchequer of introducing a unique identifier for all members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29556/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans at this time to introduce a national identity card system. Any final judgement as to the necessity or desirability of such a system would have to include a full assessment of the implications of the introduction of identity cards in the UK as well as developments in the rest of the EU. Identity management policy in terms of Government services is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. As regards the introduction of a unique identifier for members of the public, the Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) already constitutes a unique identifier in respect of those people to whom a PPSN has been assigned. This is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.