James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy correctly noted, the European directive on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications ceased to have general applicability to UK award holders post Brexit, that is, after December 2020. Qualifications from the UK were automatically recognised during the transitional period, which ran from 1 February to 31 December 2020. If a qualification was recognised during that time, the professional can continue to practise in Ireland or the EU.

While this overall formal framework no longer applies to the recognition of qualifications from the UK, there is ongoing extensive experience within the various competent authorities, which, in consultation with my Department and other Departments, have developed revised pathways for recognition for applicants with UK professional qualifications. Anyone wishing to practise in a regulated profession must meet the professional qualifications required by law. People should contact the relevant competent authority or regulator if they have queries or wish to advance that process. There is no requirement to have a qualification recognised in order to seek employment in unregulated professions. Of course, as the Deputy will understand, certain professions are regulated for a reason, with a high standard being necessary. There must be some rigour in that regard.

There is a small number of professions where it is not possible to provide for continued recognition of UK qualifications in Ireland due to provisions in Irish law based on EU directives or regulations. Some of them relate to a requirement for establishment or residence in an EU member state. Inevitably, as divergence occurs over time following Brexit, it may be the case that mutual recognition becomes more difficult in certain areas if standards and requirements begin to change. My Department continues to engage with the UK Department for Business and Trade on this matter. At our most recent meeting, in January 2025, both Departments agreed to monitor developments at EU and UK level to assess impacts arising from any further initiatives.

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