Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015
701. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a licence exchange agreement has been reached with British Columbia in Canada which would allow a Canadian national resident here with a full British Columbia licence to apply for a full Irish licence, given that agreements already exist for other Canadian provinces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36341/15]
View answerIrish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU legislation. On this basis we have mutual recognition for driver licence exchange with all other EU Member States. In the case of non-EU jurisdictions, we can reach bilateral agreements.
It has been a matter of policy for some time to reach bilateral agreements of this kind with Canada. Arriving at such agreements can be a complex process, as it requires the licensing authorities on both sides to study the two systems and satisfy themselves that they are compatible. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
As driver licensing in Canada operates at provincial rather than national level, we must reach separate agreements with each province. It was agreed from the start to prioritise agreement with Ontario, due to the large number of Irish residents there. I am happy to say that agreement was reached with Ontario, and has been in operation since October 2014. A further agreement, with Manitoba, came into operation in May of 2015.
The RSA is continuing to work towards agreement with the other Canadian provinces, including British Columbia. I understand that good progress is being made, but that it is not possible at this stage to give a date when further agreements will be in place.
