S.I. No. 351/1999 - European Communities (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1999.

In exercise of the powers conferred on the Minister for the Environment and Local Government by section 3 of the European Communities Act, 1972 (No. 27 of 1972), which powers are delegated to me by the Environment and Local Government (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order, 1997, I, ROBERT MOLLOY, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government, hereby make the following Regulations:—

1. These Regulations may be cited as the European Communities (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1999.

2. These Regulations shall come into operation on 15 November 1999.

3. The European Communities (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1984 ( S.I. No. 234 of 1984 ) are hereby revoked.

Dated this 6th day of November, 1999.

ROBERT MOLLOY,

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations revoke the European Communities (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1984 ( S.I. No. 234 of 1984 ) which restricted the validity of driving licences issued by the other Member States of the European Communities to a period not exceeding twelve months after the taking up of normal residence by the holder in Ireland. Said provision has been replaced by provision incorporated in the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 1999 ( S.I. No. 352 of 1999 ) which allows for the recognition in Ireland of driving licences issued by the other Member States of the European Communities or of the European Economic Area for as long as such licences remain valid. This latter arrangement is in accordance with provision incorporated in Council Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences.