Any question of either changing a person’s name, as legally established, or establishing different recognised forms for alternative Irish and English versions of the name of the same individual, is not a matter for the RSA, my Department, or any other body under the aegis of my Department. I shall therefore confine myself to the requirements for the driving licence.
The RSA has advised me that the NDLS has no objection in principle to putting the Irish form of a name on a driving licence. However, it has a responsibility to verify the identity of any individual to whom they issue a licence. Therefore, when a person who has a driving licence under the English form of their name applies for a new licence in the Irish form, the NDLS requires documentary proof that the person is the same individual.
The key issue here is that the RSA is not the appropriate organisation to decide on what form or forms of a person’s name may be used. Instead, it has a responsibility to ensure ID security by satisfying itself that a person receiving a licence is indeed the person he or she claims to be.
I have as a matter of course also contacted the office of An Coimisinéir Teanga, which has confirmed that the Official Languages Act 2003 does not mention a right to use the Irish form of a name.
