The Taoiseach has insisted the Public Services Card is not a national identity card.

Recent days after seen fresh debate over the controversial card, with calls for clarity over what the card is needed for.

Around 2.75 million cards have been issued to date.

The Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty has said the card is not 'compulsory' - but is 'mandatory' to claim benefits from her department.

There are plans for the card to be mandatory for many other services, including renewing your passport.

Concerns have also been raised about the data protection issues involved in sharing information stored on the card across Government departments - the data could be used by as many as 50 different state bodies.

But the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar defended its introduction.

He stressed that the Government has "absolutely no plans" to introduce a national ID card in Ireland - and said that he would be against any such move.