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Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021

Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Questions (178)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

178. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if motorists from Northern Ireland now require a green card to drive in the 26 counties; and if there will be changes to requirements to drive in the South for motorists from the North post Brexit. [1370/21]

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Written answers

As of 1 January 2021 the post-Brexit transition period ended.  The default position from that date is that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will no longer be treated like a European Union Member State.  It will therefore no longer benefit from the provisions under which EU members are not subject to the general international requirement of proof of insurance, known as a Green Card in Europe, for travel within the Union.

For Irish-registered vehicles entering the UK (including Northern Ireland), UK authorities have indicated that Irish insurance discs meet the UK legal requirements for proof of insurance.  This means that Irish-registered vehicles will NOT require a Green Card on entering the UK, provided they display an insurance disc.  As this is a matter of UK law, it is open to the UK to determine whether to continue with this arrangement in the longer term.

The position regarding UK-registered vehicles (including vehicles from Northern Ireland) entering the EU, including Ireland, is a matter that is governed within the framework of EU law, as well as international conventions.  Under EU law, the European Commission may set a date from which the requirement for Green Cards from a specified Third Country (i.e. non-Member State) will be waived.  The EU Commission has yet to make a decision on whether/when to waive the requirement for Green Cards for UK-registered vehicles entering the EU.

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