Written answers

Tuesday, 27 September 2022

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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110. To ask the Minister for Finance the options that are available to persons who require Government-issued photographic identification for the purposes of opening a bank account and who do not have a driving licence or passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46621/22]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Credit and Financial Institutions are obliged to identify and verify their customer’s identity on the basis of documents or information which they have reasonable grounds to believe can be relied upon to confirm the identify of the customer. This may include documents from a Government source, such as a passport or driving licence and institutions often use such documents to verify a customer’s identity.

However, neither the relevant legislation (the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, as amended), nor the Central Bank of Ireland are prescriptive as to what documents and information can be relied upon. Therefore institutions have some flexibility in regard to the forms of identification documentation they may choose to rely upon and request from customers. Credit and financial institutions must take a risk-based approach when applying anti-money laundering rules and therefore it is likely that some institutions will require more - and specific - types of customer identification, than others in the sector. Accordingly these may include, but are not limited to, Government-issued photographic identification such as driving licences and passports.

My officials have contacted the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) and are advised that the BPFI is aware of the issues arising from the upcoming departure from the State, of Ulster Bank and KBC. BPFI advised that institutions risk-assess customers on a case-by-case basis, including those customers switching bank accounts from Ulster Bank and KBC. BPFI also advised that it is currently drafting guidance for its members in relation to this matter.

Full lists of accepted proof of identity and address documents and information on how to open a bank account can be found on each of the retail banks' websites. Anyone who is unsure of how to meet the identification requirements should inquire with the bank of his/her/their choice on what would be acceptable.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has developed advice for consumers switching their current accounts, available on its website at www.ccpc.ie/move.

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