A Peel Commissioner is criticising the Department of Education's plans to introduce a fingerprint identification system to the local primary school's library.

Roger Gimbert, who's also a parent, says the Department sent notification letters out on October the 10th and gave them just five days to say whether they wanted their children to opt in or out of the scheme.

Mr Gimbert believes the Department was looking to rely on what he calls the "apathy vote" to get the new system through.

Despite Government reassurances the children's fingerprints won't be stored, Mr Gimbert says their right to privacy will be affected due to its linking of prints to a specific number: (audio clip)

The Department of Education has issued a statement saying schools will consult parents before introducing the scheme, which complies with Data Protection law.