PARLIAMENT: PERSONAL ID NUMBER CAUSES DIVISION AMONG MPS

ZAGREB, April 3 (Hina) - The issue whether the identification card should be changed again to include the personal identification number caused division among MPs during Thursday's parliamentary debate on a motion by the Social Liberals (HSLS) to change the law on the personal identification number and ID card. #L# While opposition benches believe that removing the personal identification number from the identification card in line with last year's amendments had caused damage to citizens and complicated their everyday life, the ruling coalition's benches believe that the identification number is not a necessary form of citizens' identification, and warn that its application violates the constitutional right to the confidentiality of personal data. All benches, however, agree that the law is not being implemented because banks and other institutions still demand the personal identification number from citizens, even though, under the law, they are not supposed to. One of the motions from the parliamentary debate says the government should draft a new concept for the identification number system and legal solutions regulating it. Independent MP Ivo Loncar's objection regarding a disciplinary measure by which he was ordered out of the parliament hall during yesterday's debate was included in today's agenda and the Committee on the Constitution, Rule Book and Political System is expected to voice its opinion on the matter. Loncar claims that Parliament President Zlatko Tomcic on Wednesday harshly violated the Rule Book by ruling him out of order. After Loncar kept insisting that he be given the floor and that parliament discuss the dispute between him and Tomcic, the sitting was adjourned in early afternoon hours. (hina) it sb