Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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720. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of recent media reports that Ireland is seeking an opt-out from proposals for an EU regulation regarding national ID cards and biometrics; the reason Ireland is seeking to opt out of measures at EU level that mirror measures being introduced at the national level with respect to the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6621/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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A Proposed Regulation on strengthening the security of ID cards and of residence documents was submitted by the Commission on 17 April 2018. Irish officials at the Permanent Representation in Brussels engaged extensively in discussions on the proposed Regulation to ensure that the institutions and EU Member States were fully informed about Ireland’s national law with regard to the areas covered by the proposed Regulation.

Ireland does not issue identity cards to its citizens and has no provision to do so under national law therefore the proposed Regulation does not apply to Ireland.

My Department has no plans to introduce any requirement for the fingerprinting of individuals as part of SAFE registration.