Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the situation whereby a person holding an Australian licence with approved truck and bus categories can drive legally here but there is no similar cover for Irish licence holders in Australia; if his further attention has been drawn to the inconvenience it is causing to Irish citizens in Australia in that they face having to sit a second driving test; his views on whether this is acceptable; if it is possible for him to liaise with the Australian Transport Ministry with a view to putting a reciprocal agreement in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46475/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Matters relating to the processing of driving licences in Ireland and reciprocal exchange agreements are the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority which falls under the aegis of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. I appreciate that varying licensing requirements can pose difficulties for Irish people seeking to take up work in Australia. In Australia, driving licences are issued by state and territory governments, and requirements can vary from state to state. In some cases, recognition of driving licences also depends on the immigration status of the holder with different criteria applying for short-term temporary visitors including Working Holiday participants, and permanent residents.

Issues around the recognition of Irish qualifications and skills at federal and state level, including driving licence qualifications, are kept under constant review by my officials in the Embassy in Canberra who would be happy to take up specific concerns raised. I have requested the Ambassador in Canberra to contact the various state and territorial governments to clarify the precise requirements for various categories of Irish licences and the scope for improving recognition of Irish licences. In addition, the issue of mutual recognition of driving licences is also a topic that under discussion between the European Union and Australia and any changes agreed at this level would apply to Irish licence holders.