Deputy Pearse Doherty has criticised the Government for not doing enough to assist returning emigrants who hold driving licences and permits which have been issued abroad to obtain an Irish Driving licence.
Deputy Doherty’s criticism comes amid a growing number of Irish citizens returning home permanently from overseas and being told by licencing authorities that they must re-sit their driving test.
This is in order to drive legally in the state due to the absence of bilateral agreements on licence exchange between the state and certain jurisdictions.
Deputy Doherty said “As more and more Irish citizens are returning home after having spent time living and working abroad, a growing number of them are experiencing the frustrating situation whereby their foreign issued driving licence is not officially recognised by authorities here for the purposes of driving licence exchange.
“This means that these drivers are not eligible to have their licence converted to an Irish driving licence, or its equivalent, as is required in order for them to legally drive on roads in the state on a permanent basis.
“In scenarios where people may have sat driving tests while abroad in certain countries, or who had an Irish driving licence in the past but this has since expired and has not been renewed within the current renewal time periods, then these people are likely to be left with no other option but to re-take their tests once they return home.
“There are reciprocal exchanges for driving licences within all EU Member States, and while certain bilateral agreements exist between authorities here and a number of other countries and jurisdiction outside of the EU and EEA, the number of licensing jurisdiction which are recognised by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is extremely limited and often don’t include countries to which Irish people have immigrated in recent years.
“Therefore, while driving licences which have been awarded to Irish citizens living in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Manitoba for example are recognised and may be swapped for an Irish driving licence, Irish citizens whom have obtained a licence from any of the other provinces and territories in Canada are not recognised and so, unless they already have a valid Irish licence or one which may be renewed, then these motorists must re-sit their driving tests.
“While it’s only right that laws exists surrounding driving licences and exchanges so that driving standards and road safety can be ensured on our roads, the present limited number of jurisdictions for which agreements exist in respect of licensing is causing untold stress and inconvenience to our citizens returning home.
“This is particularly the case for those coming back to Ireland to live in rural areas where public transport options may be limited and being able to drive and have your own mode of transport is crucial in order to travel to and from work or to access public services.
“I have raised this issue with the Minister recently in the Dáil where I stressed that this is a very real problem faced by Irish people returning home permanently however, it is clear that not enough is being done at Government level to extend the number of recognised jurisdictions for the purpose of licence exchange.
“As someone who has visited Irish communities living abroad, and having heard of their desire to eventually come back home to live and work in future, it is simply inexplicable to have a situation where authorities here are not making every possible effort to facilitate our people to do so.
“I intend to raise this matter again with the Minister as the Dáil comes back from its recess and to ask specifically what progress will be made by the current Government to assist Irish citizens to get back on the roads once they return.”
Tags: