Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on allowing non-EEA professional drivers to apply for their licence exchange while they are waiting on their Irish residence permit, with the IRP card being the final step in the process prior to the delivery of the Irish driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44210/24]

Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on extending the period by which a South African professional driver applicant for a licence exchange need not undergo a reverification process of documents which had been verified through the work permit process from three months to six months, given the delays currently caused by the new requirement for South Africans to obtain a visa to work here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44211/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS), and all applications for a driving licence must be made through the NDLS.

Where Ireland has a licence exchange agreement with a non-EEA country, a driving licence from that country can be exchanged in most cases, once the holder is resident in Ireland.

Vigilance is needed when processing a foreign licence for exchange, to ensure a valid document has been submitted and a driving test was passed in the country which issued the licence. Road safety and keeping Irish roads safe for all road users remains the priority in this matter.

Licence details, where available, are usually sent to the RSA for verification during a work permit application period. If the exchange application is made within six months of the verification, the RSA does not need to check this again.

There are various reasons for time being taken in processing foreign licence exchanges. For example, the driver may need to submit outstanding information, such as a medical or eyesight report or, for an online application, the physical licence.

The most common reason for delays is where the NDLS is awaiting verification of the licence from the foreign licence authority. At times a response is received very quickly but sometimes there can be considerable delays.