Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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279. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has had discussions with the authorities in British Columbia, Canada regarding the exchange of driver licences; if he is aware of any plans to create such an agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38646/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​Driver licensing law in Ireland operates within a framework of EU law.  As such, we have mutual exchange of driving licences with other EU Member States.  In the case of non-EU States we can reach bilateral agreements. Reaching bilateral arrangements is not a straightforward matter.  There needs to be detailed comparison of two driver licensing regimes by the authorities in both jurisdictions, so that each can be satisfied that the two are compatible.  On the Irish side this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), rather than by my Department.

For some time now, the RSA has been engaged in discussions on mutual recognition with the authorities in Canada.  As Canada operates driver licensing at provincial rather than national level, this means reaching separate agreements with each of the ten Canadian provinces.  To date, the RSA has finalised agreements with Ontario and Manitoba, and an agreement with Newfoundland & Labrador will come into effect in the near future.

The RSA continues to work towards agreements with the remaining Canadian provinces, including British Columbia.  However, it is not possible at this stage to specify a date when this process is likely to be concluded.