asked the Minister for Local Government why the holder of a full British driving licence, a London PSV licence, a full Northern Ireland licence and a US licence is not allowed to drive in Ireland without first passing an Irish driving test.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Driving Test.
12.
The recognition of each other's driving licences is a matter for reciprocal arrangement between nations. An international convention governs the position in relation to visitors and in pursuance of our obligations under that convention, we accept as valid for use in this country, international driving permits and driving licences granted in other countries. Therefore, a visitor making a temporary stay here who holds a valid international driving permit or foreign driving licence may drive in this country without first passing a driving test.
As I mentioned in a reply on 26th February, there are no reciprocal arrangements between nations in relation to other cases and therefore a person changing residence from one country to another has to take out a driving licence in the new country of residence and pass the driving test there. This is the position which obtains in this country as elsewhere. Such a person is not debarred from driving pending the test because he can take out a provisional licence.
Is the Minister aware that the European Commission have come out in favour of mutual recognition of drivers' licences? Is he also aware that certain European countries recognise this and that an arrangement does exist between certain countries in Europe by which they recognise each other's licences?
My information is that there are not any such arrangements.
If I can give the Minister conclusive evidence that there is such an arrangement will he enter into negotiations?
I am prepared to conclude reciprocal arrangements with any countries that are prepared to make them with us.
Is the Minister prepared to recognise the British driving licence of someone living in the Six Counties who comes to Donegal or comes to live in Southern Ireland?
I am prepared to conclude a reciprocal arrangement with any other country.
Would the Minister take the lead and initiate talks?
I have no reason to believe that any such approach would be successful.
Would the Minister care to attempt it?
There is no point in this at present.
Does it not seem completely illogical that this is acceptable for visitors and not acceptable for people who reside permanently? A person may come on a visit of three months or six months and be eligible to use his own licence here but if he comes to live here he is not eligible. Is it not completely illogical? The Minister should not object to initiating discussions.
That is the position all over the world. I do not think it would be advisable for us to accord unilateral recognition of driving licences of other countries.
Further arising——
I am calling Question No. 13. I have allowed five supplementaries.
This is just one. My information is that——
Is the Deputy asking a question?
Yes. The Minister said he had no information——
I did not.
My information is that in Italy, Belgium, the Grandy Duchy of Luxembourg and the Netherlands, if a person presents a driving licence——
This does not arise on Question No. 12 which relates to London, Northern Ireland and the United States.
I am asking if the facility is available in these countries, if they recognise licences issued by other countries, why cannot we recognise the British driving licence of somebody living in Belfast?
I am prepared to conclude a reciprocal arrangement.
The Minister is prepared to do nothing. I raised this two years ago and he has done nothing about it.
I am not prepared to do it unilaterally.
All the Minister is prepared to talk about is the Border question and he will do nothing to help about having licences recognised.
Would the Deputy please allow Questions to proceed?