Madam, - The Minister for Justice's intention to require all non-EU nationals to carry biometric ID cards, or to be subject to arrest, detention and deportation, is likely to have unintended oppressive consequences for Irish nationals of non-EU origin (The Irish Times, September 7th).
Because the State has not troubled itself to introduce a compulsory national identity card scheme, these Irish citizens will be liable to arrest for not carrying a biometric card.
It would be discriminatory to expect a group of citizens to carry their certificates of naturalisation or their passports at all times within their own country, simply because they might not look "Irish" to a garda. Either everyone should be required to carry such a biometric card, or no one should.
Will Michael McDowell indicate how he intends to overcome the basic unfairness and discrimination against some Irish citizens in his latest proposed legislation? - Yours, etc,
HUGO BRADY BROWN,
Stratford on Slaney,
Co Wicklow.
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Madam, - It is five years since the devastation of September 2001. It is a time when our sympathy should be with the people of America.
The Minister for Justice and new leader of the Progressive Democrats, however, plans a Bill by which Americans, as non-EU nationals, can be deported from Ireland for traffic offences. Is this a friendly, sensitive, appropriate and timely action? - Yours, etc,
SEAMUS MARTIN,
Beziers,
France.