asked the Minister for Local Government if holders of international driving licences who are also holders of Irish provisional driving licences are permitted to drive relevant vehicles without being accompanied by a holder of a full driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Driving Licences.
36.
The answer to the first part of the question is "No". If the holder of an international driving permit is a "visitor" his driving here is covered by the permit and he does not need a provisional licence. If, however, he takes up ordinary residence here, his international driving permit is of no value here and he requires an Irish driving licence. If he obtains a provisional licence before passing his test, the usual conditions apply to it. One of these conditions, which applies in relation to certain classes of vehicle (e.g. private car), requires that the holder of the licence be accompanied by the holder of a driving licence for the appropriate class. The object of adhering to this condition relating to a person who comes to live in this country from abroad, even though he may have held an international driving permit, is to require him to have a period of driving while under supervision so that he may familiarise himself with some what different rules of the road, with different traffic and road conditions and with the different driving techniques and practices.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, do those regulations also apply to an Irish national living north of the Border?
That is a separate question. This question refers to international driving licences.
I beg to differ with you. I am asking the question whether this regulation applies to an Irish national living north of the Border?
I was north of the Border last night and anybody who has a driving licence there can drive here as much as he likes.
I am asking the Minister if an Irish national living north of the Border holding an international licence is classified as outlined by his reply to the question by Deputy Collins?
You are not classified on the basis of whether you are an Irish national or not. The holders of driving licences of other countries, if they have not also got an Irish driving licence, have those regulations applied to them.
Question No. 37.
Even an Irish national living in Belfast?
The holders of international licences. Irish nationals living here or living north of the Border in the Deputy's Constituency have to have an Irish driving licence. The Deputy does not realise that he lives north of the Border.
May I ask the Minister for Local Government when the Minister for Agriculture shifts the Border will he recognise Irish nationals then?
That is a separate question.
When the Minister for Agriculture shifts the Border he will shift it into the sea.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Minister then recognise British licence holders? Republicans how are you!