The proposal to confine indoor dining to the fully vaccinated is just the latest example of confusion. I was surprised to hear of the difference between Ireland and most of the rest of Europe in how the international COVID-19 vaccination form is being dealt with.

Most EU countries have a national identity card and it appears that the data associated with this card can be used seamlessly to incorporate the issuing of the COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

Here, it is much more complicated as for some inexplicable reason, the Government backed away from using the Public Services Card and PPS number as the foundation for a comprehensive database that could cover every citizen.

I have never understood the opposition of some civil liberties groupings to the concept of a national identity card

I understand that most of the essential foundation has been laid but we are now faced, as a country, with significant expense and effort to issue a separate COVID-19 vaccination certificate when it could be so easily be included within the existing structure.

I have never understood the opposition of some civil liberties groupings to the concept of a national identity card, which seems to work so smoothly in other EU member states.

In the case of healthcare alone, we spend one of the largest proportions of gross domestic product (GDP) on health within the EU

Of course, there is the fear that personal information might fall into the wrong hands and be misused but we now have a whole GDPR regime with significant protections built into the system electronically and as regards safeguarding the misuse of personal information.

As individuals we interact increasingly with the State. In the case of healthcare alone, we spend one of the largest proportions of gross domestic product (GDP) on health within the EU but there is no doubt that full computerisation and access to a national database would reduce costs and improve efficiency – similarly across the social welfare system.

The concept of using the Public Services Card to its potential should be resurrected

I have not seen any estimate of what our insistence on individual systems for various services and departments costs us, but the latest COVID-19 certificate example is a case of opportunities missed and extra costs needlessly incurred.

The concept of using the Public Services Card to its potential should be resurrected and the efficiency and cost advantages spelled out. We have instituted an excellent tracking and identification system for our cattle population – the capacity to do the same for our human population should be prioritised.