Peter Fitzpatrick
Ceist:228. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Irish driver licences have been approved in Canada. [14429/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 26 March 2014
Ceisteanna (228)
Freagraí scríofa
The Road Safety Authority (RSA), which is responsible for the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS), has been engaging for some time with the driver licensing authorities in Canada with a view to reaching mutual recognition agreements on driving licences between Ireland and Canada. Agreements of this kind can be complex, and involve detailed studies of the driver licensing regimes on both sides in order to satisfy both sides that the two regimes are compatible. The result may be a straightforward agreement on exchange, or may involve some additional detail, where the two systems are not entirely compatible.
In the case of Canada, driver licensing operates at provincial rather than national level. This complicates matters, as the RSA must reach separate agreements with each individual province.
I understand from the RSA that agreement is now very close with Ontario, Manitoba, and Newfoundland & Labrador.