Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

97. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on discussions regarding the recognition of Argentinian driver licences for the haulage industry. [6997/24]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

98. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider commencing negotiations with the Indian authorities on recognising their driver license. [6998/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland may make bilateral driving licence exchange agreements with non-EU jurisdictions. Such agreements can be made only when the authorities in both jurisdictions have studied and compared the licensing regimes and each side is satisfied that they are compatible. This is a comprehensive process, carried out between the statutory licensing authorities in each state, to ensure the safety of road users. If standards and procedures are not comparable, the process does not continue. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

The Government's priority in these matters is to identify countries that may be a source of professional drivers (coach and HGV), given the well documented shortages faced in Ireland and across the EU in these sectors. As such, the RSA and my Department are currently finalising agreements with Georgia and North Macedonia. Priority has also been given to examining the licensing procedures of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Moldova. There is currently no process under way in relation to an exchange agreement with India.