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THE HEAD OF the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has said the controversial Public Services Card, which is the only ID accepted for the driver theory test, will help reduce the number of fraudulent licence applications.
The card has been under the spotlight recently after a number of stories of people losing out on public services because they do not have one. There is no legal requirement for Irish citizens to hold the card, but in order to access welfare benefits, the Department of Social Protection requires applicants to have one.
Yesterday, Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said the card is not compulsory – but it is mandatory for her department.
I know some people might say I’m splitting hairs. But actually because of the high value of the public services that the Department of Social Protection gives, we give out over €20 billion every year.
“We believe that it’s not too much to ask people to authenticate who you are, so that we can give you fast and efficient public service so that we get what you’re entitled, to and that’s all this safe process is,” she told Newstalk Breakfast.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, RSA chief executive Moyagh Murdock said it was now government policy that the authority use the Public Service Card. Currently, it is required for anyone applying for the driver theory test, but this is expected to be extended to the full driving licence.
“It’s important to remember that a driving licence is not a right, it is actually a permit to drive, you’re given a permit so having the correct identity and issuing someone with a licence, there are significant road safety issues associated with that,” Murdock said. “It’s very important in enforcement of road traffic legislation that you have the right licence and you are the right person on that licence so we are following government policy.”
I know there are some concerns out there, but we are starting at the theory tests and people can apply and there’s a great turnaround with the public services card in the DSP (Department of Social Protection) offices so we hopefully see it running smoothly.
Murdock said that since the new plastic licence card was introduced in 2013, the number of fraudulent licence applications has “dropped significantly”. In order to get this licence, drivers have to present themselves in person to a National Driver Licence Service centre.
“We have filtered out quite a number of people trying to apply for a licence when they’re not entitled to one. That’s just through the actual face-to-face identity mechanism that we have in place,” Murdock explained.
“It certainly is helping, because if someone is out there driving with a licence that they’re not entitled to there are road safety issues with that. Too many people are impacted and injured and killed by people who are driving when they shouldn’t have been driving. If they are fraudulently getting a licence then we have to do something about that,” she added.
The Department of Social Protection also issued a detailed statement yesterday evening, outlining the services which require the Public Services Card:
“The Public Services Card (PSC) is precisely that, a card for accessing public services. It helps customers access a range of public services easily,” the department said.
The user’s identity is fully authenticated when it is issued so they do not have to give the same information to multiple organisations. It was first introduced in 2011 and was initially rolled out to people getting social welfare payments. It is now being rolled out to other public services.
Yesterday the Green Party accused the government of “bringing in mandatory identity cards for Irish citizens,” the party’s technology spokesperson councillor Ossian Smyth said.
“Five years ago, this scheme was passed off as a handy replacement for the free travel pass and the social welfare card. Now Fine Gael says that anyone without a National ID card will be denied the right to renew a passport, denied the right to renew a drivers licence and denied any welfare payments.”
“It is ludicrous for Minister Regina Doherty to say that these cards are not ‘compulsory’ – but that they are ‘mandatory’ for anyone who wants a passport, a driver’s licence or to receive child benefit.”
Fianna Fáil Senator Catherine Ardagh also called for a debate in the Houses of the Oireachtas on the issue.
“The use of biometric data being incorporated into the public services card in order to seemingly eliminate the possibility of fraud and to improve the efficiency of public services will bring personal rights into sharper focus,” she said in a statement.
“It is therefore essential that both houses of the Oireachtas are provided with an opportunity to debate and consider the possible human rights and/or data protection implications of introducing such a system of national ID cards.
“There are a number of plausible arguments for and against and many will wish to vigorously challenge the possible infringements on one’s privacy. We must determine if the concept of mandatory identity cards challenges the inalienable right to individual privacy which is protected by the Constitution.”
“This is a huge step to take without asking the public first – and the first way they are being used is to deny rights to citizens.”
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I think the card is a great idea but for some reason in this country we seem to have to object to or wreck every new concept or idea that may in fact promote and implement efficient and effective services.
@Sean Higgins: When getting a driving licence, why is a Passport not an acceptable form of identity? If nations and airlines the world over trust it, why cannot the RSA, ffs?
Some years ago, the HSE applied to the Dail to allow to use PPSN as the new national patient ID. Permission was necessary as Govt Agencies must have Oireachteas approval for using PPSN. Permission was refused as it was considered a step too far impinging on citizens right to privacy.
Some may say that there is nothing to worry about if you are not doing anything wrong – so why we need to worry about Ireland having a government acting in a hostile way to it’s own law abiding citizens.
I now suggest to you one name as an example- Sgt McCabe. He has been dealt with in a hostile and illegal way by, not one, but TWO government agencies – for doing the right thing about wrongdoing (but against the personal interests of politicians and senior public servants)
@Alan Lawlor: he obviously didn’t use his PPSN papers to fend off the big bad government and it’s dark agencies. If only he had a passport, certificate of tax compliance, ppsn, driver licence, welfare applications, land registry deeds…if only he had those to hand he could have escaped all of this!
If you honestly think a PPSN card would or would not change a Govt agency from doing jack schicht you are far more messed up than any other govt cronies out there. Get a grip.
@Sean Higgins: we object to the govenment bypassing the constitution and fear mongering to justify their actions.
@Sean Higgins: the government need to grow a pair and make this card compulsory we are living in very scary times.
@Sean Higgins: Why have we driving license offices all over the country if you need the PSC. They are redundant now surely?
@Alan Lawlor: it worries me when a government minister feels the need to lie. A lie always points to a hidden agenda.
Dictionary definition of Mandatory; compelled by law or mandate; COMPULSORY.
Dictionary synonyms of Compulsory;
Obligatory, MANDATORY, required, requisite, necessary, essential, statutory.
Quite the lie when she attempts to rewrite the Oxford dictionary to back up her words!!!!
@M Bowe: if only her phrase was a bit more catchy it might have replaced GUBU
@Sean Higgins: you must be a FG devotee
@Alan Lawlor: are you saying our government actually tell lies? Ridiculous! Next you’ll be saying that ministers are corrupt
Never heard the likes of it!………
Introducing a national ID card without debate or legislation is simply wrong and saying its not compulsory when it’s required to access simple state services such as obtaining a passport or driving licence is ludicrous… And that’s before using it as a means of denying people welfare,which as a matter of fact does impinge on their constitutional rights.
Whether you agree or disagree with the card is irrelevant to the process by which it has been introduced which has usurped the Irish people’s democratic rights and fair process.
@Donal Milmo-Penny: exactly
@lavbeer: if you don’t want to use the services that require this card then don’t get it very simple. I’ll have no issue, other than the time off work needed to get it, when I have to apply for one.
You provide more info online every day than what’s contained on the card
@Michael Hayden: god help u on pension day when accessing your paid on taxes..
Pah, such bed wetters here. I’ve just registered and made an appointment to get one.
@KerryBlueMike: how do you apply for one
@Barry Buckley: Made my appointment two days ago. All the info is here: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Public-Services-Card_holder.aspx
This RSA clown needs to read the DSP ministers statement, where does the RSA get the notion these PSC will help in the fight against fraudulent driving licences? Absurd statement. These PSC are not and can not be used as official ID, Gardai are specifically prohibited from requesting the presentation of them and they can only be used as part of the equally absurd driver theory test application/ process.
@Joseph Dempsey: Yes but that’s not to say that the holder of a said card can not voluntarily produce it to aid identification process.
@KerryBlueMike: this voluntary production you speak of, is it mandatory?
Some people have little to complain about
The Irish communist state takes another step on the road to Venezuela.
It’s for your own good.
Please keep in step.
@Cram Wood: not you though – you’re too smart and “woke” for all that!
So the ‘new’ driving license card requires a new I.D…..what has all this to do with the RSA? We don’t need a national ID. What happened to passports? This is more government deception by EU/FG. Don’t they get paid well?
Is the Green Party against everything?
@Martin Sinnott: Everything except taxes oh and of course bailing out bank that have gone bust. Ie Anglo.
@Martin Sinnott: if the Greens an F/F are against it , I think it must be a good idea.
In our ballygobackwards state as usual we fcuk everything up,if the government had balls,wed all have proper ID cards,instead of this thing where they’ll keep adding to it bit by bit, and down the road declare it null and void ,and eventually issue the card needed.
Will someone tell me how you can go to a hole in the wall and get money out without a Card this 201 7
@pat seery: JCB
@Rocky Road: would u even need a driving license for the jcb.
@TheBluffmaster2: prob not lol
@Rocky Road: couple ounces of Semtex maybe, as a wild guess?
@Gus Sheridan: prob Gus havent tried either method,just got used to being broke lol.the JCB used to be popular one time though
@Rocky Road: vvv good can u drive one? might have a job for u,late at night though.
@Gus Sheridan: ffs they’d be nothing left of the money then,or the jcb
@billy Dorney: wow Billy,is this a job interview.i cant drive a JCB,but willing to take lessons.also willing to work unsocial hours ha ha
The card is good for the items now outlined by the Department of Social Protection. No more. However to deny one a pension because they do not have a card is excessive use of something which is not legally binding. Mandatory or compulsory take your pick. You can’t have both.
@Paul Coughlan: it is mandatory within the DSP. But it needed for services beyond that department. That changes everything.
The woman in question was/is to a non contributory pension managed by DSP so she plays by their rules. The only valid argument I read there was someone who collects disability payment for daughter so one card needed for this and her travel meaning she can’t be traveling when payment is collected for her
@Paul Coughlan: Can one of our overpaid,underworked,corrupt ministers explain why a valid passport is no longer accepted as a means of identification? Going down the stupid unnecessary same road as postcodes that dont work……
@lavbeer: Rules have to be lawful.
And we’re going to make it as hard as possible to get one.
You can drop into our office if your employer can let you have a day off.
typical Ireland
@Martin Murphy: Or you could simply treat yourself with an hour off and squeeze a visit to Lidl in as well !
@Martin Murphy: You get 20 statutory days leave a year.
Use one of them.
@Martin Murphy: A day off? An hour at most would get the job done. Anyway you are entitled to a minimum of 20 days holiday. Surely you could use an hour out of one of those days to get the job done if your employer would not let you off. Incidentally out of curiosity how would you get to say the likes of a doctor during the working week of your employer that bad.
A National ID card, if it helps to eliminate fraud, has to be a good idea. Introducing it through underhand methods will defeat the purpose. Regina’s splitting of hairs, double speak and lack of clarity is not the type of PR needed to push this through.
@Liam McGowan: Regina opens her mouth and your disbelief app kicks in in your brain.Another useless MeFeiner
If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. The card is an excellent idea. Enough with the manufactured fuss by some.
Seriously quit this type of comment “if you have nothing to hide”, I’m not hiding anything but I am entitled to a non over bearing government that protects my privacy and not use it to monitor me.
@Ken Smyth: it boils down to the fact that people do not trust the government with our personal information.
@Declan Carroll: Meanwhile you’re forced to give permission for your data to be given to and stored by a US company https://twitter.com/williamhboney1/status/901190035269185536
Here’s a idea why can’t they turn the public services card into a drivers license also. There problem solved
@Tom Harpur: also make it a valid document for travel in the EU and a card for accessing all public services… But first implement it properly through legislation and regulation.
The government pisses all over the constitution when ever it likes and uses the word constitution to sheild for corporate tax dodgers.
I have no problem with national ID cards but i want to see high net worth, shell company directors and off shore account holders signed up first.
Privacy is really only a concern of the very wealthy, the rest of us have nothing to fear.
And it also cures the flu, measles, warts, and mumps, and it is also known to get you over a doozey of a hangover.
So a valid passport can no longer be accepted as a form of identity? More stupid ideas from this FG bunch.
@Gus Sheridan: Which one of their benefactors is behind this?
Most European countries already have a national identity card, Ireland shouldn’t be any different & it should be mandatory that as soon as you become a teenager you automatically receive one & must have it with you at all times. It would also make Ireland a much safer place
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