I propose to take Questions Nos. 365, 366 and 367 together.
Unlike the United Kingdom, my Department has no mechanism in place for verifying the standard of equivalency of certificates of competency from other EU member states.
I understand the person concerned has recently applied to the relevant United Kingdom authorities for a certificate of equivalent competency. While there is a bilateral agreement in place between Ireland and the United Kingdom which provides for the mutual recognition of certificates of competency, my Department cannot consider any further action in this matter until such time as the United Kingdom authorities issue this person with the appropriate certificate.
In addition to the bilateral agreement in place between Ireland and the United Kingdom, Ireland has mutual recognition agreements with member states of the British Commonwealth such as Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. To date, there are no other bilateral agreements in place for the mutual recognition of certificates of competency with fellow EU member states.