No easy answers

The issue is quite simply that it's a process problem, not a technology one.

1 - you are one physical person (even if you have a split personality :-)

2 - you have multiple identities (passport, web user, bank client, cellmate 23345, drivers license)

3 - each single identity assigns rights and obligations to you.

From the above follows that the only place those identities meet is at your physical person. Open your wallet and see the result: bank cards, memberships, Oyster etc.

The ID Card approach is flawed in that it wants to tie all of that to a single DIGITAL identity, which amounts to removing your control from your personal "federation of identities". In your pocket you are in control of segregation. The gov doesn't know you have 2 bank accounts other than via your tax form, nor does it need to know about any memberships you have. Ignoring this simple personal segregation would mean that the next CD in the post will *really* result in electronic identity theft (be precise, nobody ever had their personality stolen :-).

There is no need, ever, to store your fingerprint and other biometrics centrally other than as part of a criminal record. Biometrics are IMHO OK - when YOU control them.

The sooner the ID Card gets dumped the better it will be. That this was ever considered feasible raises serious questions.