Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The skills group will report back shortly. It is important to note, however, that a great deal of work is under way in the meantime. My engagement with the Minister of State, Deputy English, on the quotas for work permits is one example. On the RSA, it is the authority's role to engage in relation to securing licence exchange agreements with other countries.

This is a long process and in such circumstances both countries have to ensure they meet the standards. We are focusing on a number of countries in response to what has come from the sector itself though my engagement with representatives of the road haulage and logistics sectors. The Road Safety Authority is focusing on Argentina, Moldova, North Macedonia and Ukraine in respect of those licensing exchange agreements. For example, I met with the ambassador of Argentina to see what we can do to try to progress these exchange agreements and make sure we are not coming up with challenges unnecessarily. The Department of Foreign Affairs is assisting the Department of Transport with that diplomatic engagement.

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