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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Driving licences and EirGrid legislation

Summary

Mattie McGrath criticises the driving-licence renewal process for people working abroad and asks about freedom-of-information coverage and the EirGrid Bill. The Government says an overseas renewal procedure exists and that the EirGrid Bill is on the D list for 2015.

I wish to raise two items. One is the EirGrid Bill, which is promised for this year. Will freedom of information also be applicable to EirGrid? Confusion and misinformation abound throughout the country and we need something to rein EirGrid in as well.

Under the road transport (no. 2) Bill the driving licence renewal process is farcical. NDLS, the company that handles this, is not fit for purpose. Yesterday, I was contacted by the father of a young man who is in America.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

We do not go there.

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He had to come home to get a driving licence. He washed his licence in his shirt, which can happen to any of us. Dúirt bean liom go ndúirt bean léi go raibh póca ina léine aige.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Deputy can table a parliamentary question but cannot raise this matter on the Order of Business.

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He washed his licence. How can he travel home from his job to get a new licence? It is nonsensical in the extreme.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

The Deputy should table a parliamentary question.

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Can someone please review this matter? This person is only one of many. A person working abroad has to come home to get his or her licence renewed. It is just farcical.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I am informed by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport that it is not necessary to travel home for a licence. There is a procedure for dealing with it.

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He was told that.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

The Deputy can now inform him otherwise.

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If the Deputy gives me the details I will look at them.

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What about the EirGrid Bill?

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

It is listed for next year.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Yes, that is what the Taoiseach said.

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We were told it was to be in 2014, but it has now gone back to 2015.

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Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

It is on the D list at the moment.

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My God. The pressure will be piled on; do not worry.

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