Ireland's public services card changes spark national ID debate

Ireland is amending legislation so its public services card (PSC) can be voluntarily offered as ID, with date of birth added optionally. TDs and rights groups warn this amounts to a backdoor national ID, noting the Data Protection Commission found facial recognition use of PSC biometrics since 2012 unlawful.

• 3.25 million PSCs are in circulation; 4.5 million people are SAFE-registered with biometrics
• The amendment lets banks and utilities accept the PSC but not request it
• Adding date of birth to the card for age verification remains optional
• Facial recognition use of PSC biometrics since 2012 was ruled unlawful