asked the Minister for Local Government if he will grant recognition to holders of foreign driving licences who come to reside in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Driving Licence Recognition.
43.
As there is no general international agreement or convention providing for reciprocal recognition of driving licences between participating countries, such recognition is a matter for bilateral arrangement between this country and any other country with whom the matter may arise. I am prepared to consider granting recognition in the case of a country which is willing to reciprocate.
I am glad to hear that. The Minister will appreciate that people who have passed a stringent test in other countries and come here and find they have to start at the bottom again, feel this is rather an imposition. Could we initiate moves in this country, even with the EEC countries for a start, to get over this problem?
We are discussing with the EEC the question of a driving licence to cover all of them but it has not been settled. Some of the EEC countries with which negotiations have opened are anxious that we should accept them but they are not so far prepared to accept us and therefore we will not agree. It is the unfortunate drivers, I agree, who fall between the two stools.
Could there be an international driving licence?
This is not the place to decide that, but I agree that it is rather ludicrous that this problem should be still with us in 1975.
Is this driving licence question on the agenda of the negotiations now going on?
It is one of the things being discussed—having a licence which will at least apply to all EEC countries. It seems a reasonable proposition and it has been discussed.
Has it run into some difficulties?
It has.