Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Since this Government was formed, I do not think the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has come in for one session of Questions on Promised Legislation. One can only suspect that he is reluctant to answer questions without a prepared script. Since the decision by the Supreme Court over 18 months whereby asylum seekers are allowed to work, I have continuously raised with the Minister the need to extend eligibility to apply to a driving licence to asylum seekers. He has promised that the matter is under consideration and that his Department is working with the Minister for Justice and Equality to deliver it. In the 18 months since the Supreme Court decision, no progress has been made. This is at a time when we should be welcoming these people into our country and ensuring that they are facilitated by every means to integrate with society. What better way to do this than by affording people the right to drive and go to work? Will the Taoiseach take a personal interest in this and talk to the Ministers for Transport, Tourism and Sport and Justice and Equality in order to ensure that this legislation receives priority so that people who want to make a contribution to make to society and who are being prevented from doing so on foot of where they live will be able to apply for driving licences?

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