Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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821. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to further extend the number of recognised states with which an agreement exists for the purpose of driving licence exchange; if he is aware of the problem faced by Irish citizens returning here from states with which no formal agreement is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22096/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. Under EU law, we have reciprocal exchange of driving licences with all other EU Member States. In the case of non-EU States, we may reach bilateral agreements on exchange of driving licences. We have a number of such agreements in place. Work in recent years has produced agreement with three of the Canadian provinces, and good progress is being made towards agreement with the remaining provinces.

I am well aware of the difficulties for people returning to Ireland from countries with which we do not have reciprocal arrangements. However, the implication that we should simply reach such agreements with those third countries is mistaken. Driver licensing law exists so that we can be sure of the standard of driving reached by people allowed to drive on our roads. Agreements on exchange of licences are made only after detailed study by the licensing authorities on both sides, so that each side can be sure that the two systems operate to compatible standards. A commitment to explore an agreement with another jurisdiction does not automatically mean that an agreement will be possible. On the Irish side, such work is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority.

The Deputy may also wish to note that an Irish driving licence may be renewed up to 10 years after it has lapsed without the requirement to resit a driving test.