Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 2

Written Answers. - Pakistani Certificates of Competency Recognition.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

50 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Marine if he will reintroduce a practice whereby Pakistani nationals, having been examined for certificates of competency by his Department, were issued with certificates when Pakistan was a member of the Commonwealth and this reciprocal recognition of certificates ceased when Pakistan left the British Commonwealth as this recognition was on foot of the reciprocal recognition which existed between this country and the United Kingdom; and the reason, since Pakistan have rejoined the British Commonwealth, the former arrangement has not been reinstated by this country even though we recognise certificates issued by Pakistan prior to 1 September 1973.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

Only Pakistani certificates of competency issued before 1 September 1973 are recognised by my Department. Since 1973 Pakistani nationals, among other aliens, have been examined in this country and their examination results have been issued to their Governments through the Department of Foreign Affairs. It is then up to the Government in question to issue certificates of competency to their nationals on foot of their Irish examination results, if they so desire.

Ireland has no parity with the UK as far as recognition of foreign certificates of competency is concerned. All foreign candidates are told, by way of circular letter, before coming to Ireland to check their eligibility. I understand from the Department of Foreign Affairs that no approach has been made to the Irish Government by the Pakistani authorities to change the existing situation.