Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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63. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a truck driving licence from New Zealand cannot be directly swapped for a similar Irish driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43464/24]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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64. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has had any engagement with the New Zealand authorities in relation to issues with the National Driver Licence Service providing a straight swap from a New Zealand truck driving licence to the Irish equivalent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43465/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service, which handles all driving licence enquiries.

Ireland has a licence exchange agreement with New Zealand for the exchange of licence categories A, A1, B, AM and W and currently does not exchange C (truck) licence categories with New Zealand.

In addition, Ireland does not exchange licences that originated outside New Zealand if Ireland does not have a licence exchange agreement with the country of origin.

I have referred this matter to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.