Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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639. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider an online driving licence renewal system or a driving licence renewal system facilitated by Irish embassies or consulates overseas for Irish citizens currently working abroad. [14716/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​Under EU law, Ireland issues driving licences to people whose normal residence is within this jurisdiction.  Where people who hold Irish driving licences move abroad to take up residence they cannot therefore renew their Irish driving licences.  Where people move abroad temporarily for work or study purposes but retain normally residence in Ireland, they may renew their driving licences. Normally, an applicant is expected to appear in person at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) office to renew their driving licence.  However, applicants for renewal who are temporarily overseas for work or study purposes may already apply by post, under regulations in effect since summer of 2014.  These postal applications should be made directly to the NDLS.  There is no involvement of Irish embassies or consulates in the process, nor do I see any need for such involvement. I understand that the NDLS is developing an online driving licence application facility, which will be available in 2017.  This will be of great assistance to applicants within Ireland as well as those temporarily overseas when their licences come up for renewal.