David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1120: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason New Zealand is not a recognised State for the purpose of driving licence exchange under the terms of Article 30(7) of the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1999, thereby preventing people holding a valid driving licence from New Zealand from exchanging their licence for an Irish driving licence when they take up residence here without the need for a driving test; the plans he has to amend the regulations to include holders of such licences to be recognised here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29806/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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A person who holds a driving licence issued by a member state of the European Union or of the European Economic Area is permitted to drive in Ireland for so long as that licence remains valid. Where such a person has taken up normal residence in Ireland, he or she may alternatively exchange the licence for an Irish driving licence without taking a driving test.

There is a system of recognition of licences from non-EU countries for licence exchange, and licences from a number of countries are so recognised. Under this system, persons holding a valid driving licence from a recognised state may exchange their licence for an Irish driving licence where they take up residence here, without the need for a driving test. Ireland does not, however, have a bilateral agreement with New Zealand for the exchange of driving licences. For licence exchange purposes the licensing system of the country being recognised must meet EU standards as laid down in EU directives on driving licences.

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the oversight of the driver licensing system and is in consultation with the New Zealand authorities concerning recognition of New Zealand licences for licence exchange purposes. These discussions follow on from contacts which my Department had with New Zealand officials and I expect a positive early outcome.

Temporary visitors to Ireland who hold a national driving licence or an international driving permit may drive here for the duration of their visit. Persons taking up Irish residence must however either avail of the arrangements described above, where applicable, or begin the process of obtaining an Irish driving licence by undergoing the driver theory test and securing a provisional driving licence.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 1121: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of the official driver theory test books and CD-ROMs sold in each of the years since they went on sale; the amount accruing to the State from the sale of these in each year; and the net per item cost to the State of producing this material. [29865/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the driver theory test.

The driver theory test question bank is the property of the Road Safety Authority. The contractor operating the driver theory testing service as a public private partnership project is licensed to publish the question bank under the terms of the contract, which is now the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. There is no cost to the State arising from the publication of the question bank. Revenue generated by sales of the question bank are retained by the contractor except where revenue exceeds a set amount, when a percentage of the excess is payable to the RSA.

Information sought by the Deputy concerning sales of the book and CD-ROM is not readily available and I have referred the request to the RSA for direct reply.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 1122: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of rules of the road booklets sold in each of the years this century; the amount accruing to the State from the sale of this booklet in each from 2000 to date in 2006; and the net per item cost to the State of producing this material. [29866/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I have asked the Government Publications Sale Office to supply the information sought directly to the Deputy.