Driving licence agreement with Ontario to benefit Irish abroad – Conlan

Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Seán Conlan TD, has welcomed an agreement signed by the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, to allow for mutual exchange of driving licences between Ireland and Ontario.  

“There are a lot of people from Monaghan currently living in Canada, in particular in Toronto which is in Ontario. I am very pleased that these people will now be able to use their Irish licences without any problems.

“Canada, unlike Ireland, has a decentralised driving licence system, meaning each State and territory has its own licensing system. But Minister Varadkar has said that now that this agreement has been reached with the authorities in Ontario, it should be possible to reach speedy agreements with the other Canadian provinces.

“This agreement with Ontario has been sought for some time by Irish people living in the Province as it will allow them to exchange their Irish driving licences for Ontario licences, rather than having to register as learner drivers.

“It has been an unfortunate effect of the recession that so many people have moved abroad to places like Canada. The Government is working hard, through the Action Plan for Jobs, to create growth and to bring about a situation where these people are coming home. Significant progress has been made but many people are still abroad and I am pleased that this agreement will make life that little bit easier when they are away from home.”