Let's not kid ourselves by rationalizing that this is about a woman's right to dress as she pleases.  The women who cover their faces with a niqab or burqa do so because they have been led to believe their religion calls for it - a religion where the authority figures are men.  It's not some freedom of fashion driving this practice.  It may not be so bothersome right now because it is a small number of women adopting this regressive/repressive practice (with a larger number covering just their heads).  However, as this becomes more and more commonplace (because the people calling for women to cover their faces are emboldened by the vehement justification and defense they are receiving) I don't imagine that the same defenders will view the issue the same way.  Polygamy has been decreed to be illegal - and no one is defending that practice as a woman's right to choose the type of relationship she enters into.  I don't see why the niqab issue should not be addressed by the Government.