Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 714: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he proposes to expand the number of recognised States with which Ireland has an agreement for the purpose of driving-licence exchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32198/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Irish driver licensing rules operate within the framework of an EU-wide licensing system. The criteria essential for recognition of licences from other countries are testing and licensing regimes which meet the requirement of the EU directive on driver licences. On this basis Ireland recognises licences from, and has mutual recognition and exchange of licence arrangements with, other EU Member States and a number of other jurisdictions where research and discussion has shown that standards in those jurisdictions match those here.

The process of reaching an exchange agreement can be a long one, and involves a considerable amount of background work, generally undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in conjunction with the licence authority in the overseas jurisdiction in question.

The RSA is always willing to examine the possibilities for driver licence exchange arrangements with other States based on the individual merits of the case presented.