You might want ID but I don't

Children's Express reporters Damien Duddy, Brian Smyth and Niall O'Doherty have problems over the looming introduction of ID cards in Northern Ireland.

As young people we have watched the debate over the introduction of ID cards with extreme interest. If the scheme is given the go ahead it is hoped that it will come compulsory by 2013 for everyone to carry a card. That means for most of our adult lives we will have to deal with this issue.

Government claims that the introduction of ID cards will help fight terrorism and clamp down on illegal workers, but what are the real concerns for the average young person? We believe it is an important issue, as it concerns social fundamental questions about the way we live.

The ID card scheme is an invasion of our basic rights as human beings. We are entitled to our right to privacy, but how can we have privacy when all our personal details are kept in our own back pockets?

The current bill requires that the minimum age requirement for a young person to have an ID card will be 16 years and three months, but the bill permits the secretary of state to possibly lower the minimum age. Crazy you say? Not according to the government.

The government has moved quickly to address criticism over their plans to possibly have children over 5 carrying the ID card. Apparently they have demonstrated 36 possible uses for an ID card for a child over the age of 5, such as being permitted entrance to a '12' certificate film or to prove owner ship of a small animal!

A number of children's rights groups have expressed concerns that the introduction of identity cards may allow a link to data held within the forthcoming national children's database permitted by the children's Act.

Similar schemes to ID cards, called SMART cards have been introduced in a number of Derry schools at the minute. These cards are used to pay for stationery and school dinners etc, but if a student has their SMART card confiscated, their entire permanent record can be accessed, and also library privileges and their school history can be checked with the SMART cards.

It is getting to the point where it almost seems schools have no basic trust for their students because they insist on following up every transaction that the student has carried out. Again similar to the ID card scheme if a SMART card is lost or broken, the student is required to replace the card at a cost.

There are also other possible concerns over the introduction of these cards. Do the police have the resources to go out and follow up everyone who is not carrying an ID card? Would you be willing to pay for an ID card that you didn't even want in the first place?

There is also serious danger of the ID cards being stolen. Credit Cards can be stolen and replicated so how will the government ensure that ID cards, if stolen, won't be used to claim other people's benefits, such as child support or disability allowance?

It is uncanny that whilst this story was in the making, the government introduced a new poster and television campaign aimed at reducing benefit fraud, saying that over £30million is being lost through benefit fraud every year. Will the ID cards really help tackle benefit fraud or simply add to the problem?

In Northern Ireland the introduction of ID cards could also promote sectarianism. If someone steals your ID card, with all your personal and private details contained within, could there be potential for them to utilise that card to find out very personal details about you, such as religion, where you live or whether you have a criminal record.

The cost is also a big consideration. If we are to pay for these ID cards how are the larger families in Northern Ireland going to cope with the cost of an ID card? How are a single income family with 5 children and 2 adults with very little money to spend on the bare essentials in life, going to afford the payment of 7 ID cards when a single ID card is estimated to cost £80.00 per ID. That works out at £560 per time if the ID cards need replacing.

Ronan McKay, Special advisor to Mark Durkan, leader of the SDLP, has expressed his concern about the introduction of ID cards. "I'm not opposed to the principle of ID cards provided that they are voluntary, but the idea of compulsory identity cards, in that people would have to carry them, causes me and causes the party serious concern."

Ronan also feels there are enough ID provisions out there already. "We think people will have to be very careful that it is not a knee-jerk reaction to particular circumstances of the day. Every body can get a passport or a driver license if you are the right age and nowadays people can get free ID. If they are on the electoral register they are entitled to a free photographic ID."

In conclusion, we, as young people, feel that the introduction of ID cards should not go ahead as it is an invasion of the privacy of the public and it destroys the trust between people. If we do not do all in our power to prevent this, then we will be remembered by the future generations of people as oppressive and invasive.

About the team

This story was produced by Damien Duddy, Brian Smyth and Niall O'Doherty. It was published by the Derry Journal.