Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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810. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will detail all jurisdictions where Ireland has a reciprocal relationship for the exchange of driving licences; if he will provide an update on current negotiations; if he is considering further jurisdictions, including Australia, where this agreement could be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3904/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under EU legislation we have mutual recognition arrangements for driver licence exchange with our fellow Member States.  The first EU driver licensing Directive was Directive 80/1263.  This and subsequent Directives provide for recognition of EU licences.  The identities of the Member States are a matter of public record, as are the dates of accessions of States joining the EU since 1980.  

As part of the EU framework we also recognise licences from the following European Economic Area States:

Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and we recognise licences from the Gibraltar as a British Overseas Territory.  

Ireland does not have bilateral arrangements with provinces or other non-state entities.  We have recognition arrangements with the following States, entered into in the following years:  

- Japan                 1990

- Australia             1993

- Isle of Man          1993

- Jersey                 1993

- Switzerland         1993

- South Africa       1994

- South Korea       1999

- Guernsey             2007

- New Zealand       2010

- Taiwan                 2010  

The foundation of exchange relationships on driving licences with other jurisdictions is mutual examination of the driver licensing regimes to make sure that they are compatible.  On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  With regard to current negotiations, I understand that the RSA has been engaging for some time with a number of provinces in Canada, with the assistance of the Irish embassy in Ottawa, with a view to reaching agreements on mutual exchange.   

In Canada, driver licensing operates at provincial rather than national level.  This means that agreements have to be reached with the individual provinces.   

The RSA has indicated to me that it is satisfied following discussions with Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador that agreement can be reached with those provinces on the exchange of driver licences.  The next step will be to conclude a formal agreement with those provinces (a type of Memorandum of Understanding).  When this is done, I expect to sign the necessary regulations to give effect to the arrangements.  

I would be happy to consider exploring further possible exchange arrangements where appropriate.  At present there are discussions under way at EU level on the preparation of guidelines for mutual recognition with non-EU States, and I do not propose to consider any further arrangements until these guidelines have been agreed.