The Chairman of the Clare IFA says questions need to be answered about how data on the new Public Services Card will be protected.
Willie Hanrahan is speaking as calls have continued for the government to clarify whether farmers will need to have the card in order to access payments.
Clare FM’s Ben Sweeney reports:
Confusion over the proposed Public Services Card is continuing as the number of services which require the card grows.
There’s are continued calls for the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to clarify whether farmers will require the card to access EU payments.
The President of the ICMSA, John Comer says there’s been no answer to queries on if members will need the card.
He says he wouldn’t be opposed to anything which would ensure those entitled to payments get them and could reduce the potential for fraud, but says the ambiguity around the card is cause for concern.
Clare IFA Chair Willie Hanrahan has also voiced concerns about the card, saying he wants clarifications on how the data on the card will be protected.
He says a lot of confidential information could be left vulnerable on the card.
The government has defended the card, which will be mandatory for many services, saying it will clamp down on fraud.
However, there is still no clarification on what it will mean for farmers in the years ahead.
