asked the Minister for Local Government if he is prepared to make a further approach to the British and Northern Ireland authorities concerning the mutual recognition of driving licences; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Driving Licence Recognition.
43.
I do not propose to make a further approach in this matter because, in making their decision, the British authorities presumably give full and careful consideration to all the factors involved and I am satisfied that no new factors have arisen on which they could be asked to review their decision.
Is there mutual recognition of driving licences in the Common Market countries?
There is not, but I understand discussions are going on. The Community may introduce recommendations in regard to mutual recognition to be adopted by the countries concerned and, if we become members, these will apply to us.
The Minister must be aware that such recognition exists between the member states of the EEC?
No, it does not.
I beg to differ with the Minister. If he gets on to the bureau I am sure they will give him the information. They gave it to me two years ago. I addressed a similar question to Deputy Blaney when he was Minister for Local Government and to Mr. Boland when he was Minister for Local Government——
The Deputy knows what happened to each of those.
——and now I have addressed the same question to the present Minister. The other two were very interested.
We are quite prepared to make reciprocal arrangements with any country that accepts our licences.
Any country?
Yes.
The Minister recognises Northern Ireland as a different country?
I said any country.
All I ask the Minister to do is to reach for the telephone and ring the authorities in Stormont—I will give him the telephone number if he has not got it—and suggest to them that any person who holds a valid driving licence in the Six Counties and comes to live in the Republic will have that driving licence honoured here and ask that licences held validly in the Twenty-six Counties will be honoured by the Northern authorities in the case of people from the Twenty-six Counties going to live in the Six Counties. That is a simple exercise in co-operation and North/South relationships. If the Minister is not prepared to do this all the talk from the Fianna Fáil benches is just so much gobbledegook. Would the Minister not think that is a reasonable request?
Question No. 44.
It may sound reasonable, but it is not as simple as the Deputy seems to think it is. Driving licences in the Six Counties are recognised in Britain and, because they are, an anomaly would be created if there was recognition of our driving licences there. If that were the position then our licences would also have to be recognised. That would create difficulties. People would be allowed to drive in the North but would not be allowed to drive in Britain while those holding Six County licences would be entitled to drive in Britain. In dealing with this matter the British authorities are not prepared to make such an arrangement and we cannot force them to make it.
Does the Minister not appreciate that a Catholic priest or a Protestant clergyman who is transferred, on the direction of his Bishop or who comes on promotion to one side of the Border or the other and stays on the opposite side of the Border for five years, must do a test in order to get a licence when he crosses the Border and when he goes back to his original address he must do another driving test in order to get another driving licence? Is this not a ludicrous situation in a small country like ours? Another good example is the case of a person who lives in Strabane and moves to Lifford, which is the same parish. He must apply to Donegal County Council for a test in order to hold a driving licence. If he lives in Lifford for five years and then goes back to Strabane he must repeat the test on the northern side of the Border. Is this not a stupid arrangement? If I have to protest every time this question comes within the ambit of order in this House in order to bring it to the attention of the Minister it is a stupid situation and it is high time the Minister abrogated his authority and got on with the job.
It is not up to this Minister to make the decision, it is up to the British authorities to agree.
Has the Minister asked the British authorities?
The British authorities have been approached on numerous occasions.
When were they last approached?
Has the Minister asked them?
When Mr. Boland was Minister.
Has the Minister asked the British authorities to arrange this recognition?
They might give it to the present Minister although they would not give it to Deputy Blaney or Mr. Boland.
Is it true that the Minister has never approached the British authorities?
We make these approaches through the Department of Foreign Affairs. In June, 1970, when I was Minister the Department of Foreign Affairs informed me that they had received a note from the British indicating that they were not even willing to enter negotiations about the matter.
They were asked by Mr. Boland who had resigned the month before.
Has the Minister taken any action as a result of my question? Has he communicated with either the northern authorities or the British authorities?
This matter will be brought up again by the Department of Foreign Affairs. They have brought it up on numerous occasions with the British authorities.
I addressed the question to the Minister for Local Government.
As the Deputy knows the Taoiseach in his statement at the last Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis——
The bun fight in Ballsbridge.
The Taoiseach could not be heard; we could only hear the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Hillery.
——said that he was anxious to encourage communications with the northern authorities in order to see what way co-operation on mutual projects could be brought about. Meetings take place between the different Departments and their northern counterparts from time to time. Certain areas are being examined to see if greater co-operation could be achieved between the authorities on both sides of the Border on matters of mutual interest. We shall bring up this matter again at the next such meeting.
When will that be?
Can I take it——
I am sorry, Deputy, I have allowed innumerable questions. I must call question No. 44. Will the Deputy please resume his seat?
Does the Minister consider that the Stormont Government do not have to keep complete control over this?
The Deputy should appreciate that the Minister is as anxious as he is to see this situation eliminated.
Thank you very much. The Minister will seek an answer if he is approached from Stormont?
We deal with the British authorities.
By that is the Minister now agreeing that Stormont is an Irish authority?
Will the Minister make up his mind? Is he talking to them or is he not?
We deal with the British authorities.
That is the first time that has been said in this House, that is the new Fianna Fáil for you.
It is Fine Gael policy also. The Fine Gael Party started the whole thing anyway.
It began in 1920.
This is not the time or the place to start fighting a civil war.
Fine Gael handed over to the British.
The Minister is a Minister because of the Treaty.
The Minister is getting out of his depth.