Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
1816. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an agreement has been finalised with British Columbia on the conversion of driver licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26662/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1837. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects British Columbian licences to be exchanged for Irish licences when a person goes to live there in view of the fact that in British Columbia Irish driving licences are exchanged for British Columbian driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27167/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1838. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reciprocal arrangement which is in place between the State and the government of British Columbia, Canada, in order to allow holders of driving licences that are granted in British Columbia to drive on roads here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27174/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1816, 1837 and 1838 together.
Ireland has successfully reached agreement on driving licence exchange with a number of Canadian provinces to date and work is progressing on an agreement with British Columbia which I expect to have in place shortly.
Driving licence exchange agreements take time to arrive at, and require the relevant authorities on each side to study and compare the two licensing regimes, so that each side can be satisfied that they are compatible. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The RSA has reached an agreement in principle with British Columbia. It will be necessary to arrange formal signing, after which I as Minister will sign an order under the Road Traffic Acts giving effect to the agreement. I look forward to doing this in the near future.
