Author: graham

Doyle welcomes agreement between Ireland and Ontario on exchange of driving licences

graham 2014, Dáil Éireann, Transport

IrishDrivingLicences-OldandNewFine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the initiation of an agreement which allows for the mutual exchange of driving licences between Ireland and the Canadian province of Ontario.

“Over the last couple of months I have made extensive representations on behalf of the many Irish people living in Ontario and Canada in relation to the mutual exchange of driving licences for both Irish people living in Canada and Canadian people living here.

“The agreement provides that the holder of a full Irish driving licence can automatically exchange this licence for an Ontario licence if they are resident in the province of Ontario. The reverse will apply also where the holder of a valid Ontario licence, resident in this country, can exchange their licence for an Irish driving licence without the need to undergo a driving test. This will be of enormous benefit to the many Irish citizens currently living and working in Ontario, as well as to people from Ontario now living and working in Ireland.

“This is great news for the many Irish people living and working in Ontario who have contacted me in the past in relation to this issue. Irish people living in Ontario, will be now be able to exchange their Irish driving licences for Ontario licences directly, rather than beginning as learner drivers in Ontario.

“The process of reaching this agreement involved a great deal of work, and I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all those who have made the agreement possible including the Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohoe, the Road Safety Authority and the Irish Embassy in Canada, as well as the authorities in Ontario. It is anticipated that in due course a similar agreement will be signed with other Canadian States.”

See Deputy Andrew Doyle’s previous work on the issue in July 2014 here, February 2014 here and August 2013 here.

Quality of Young Entrepreneurs assure the Future is Bright. Regional Finals of the IBYE showcase Wicklow’s Young Talent – Doyle

graham 2014, Jobs Enterprise Innovation, Wicklow - East Carlow

IBYE 2014After attending Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Competition(IBYE), Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle has praised Wicklow’s two Regional Winners who now advance to take part in the National Final Stage in December and has spoken of the impressive quality of competitors as well as the merits of this competition in fostering our business leaders of the future.

“Showoff is a Wicklow based app development company which specialises in making app’s which are tailored to each project with an emphasis on user experience and product performance. Shane Byrne and his partner Philip Kirwin have made tremendous progress in the past two years and now employ 8 people. Accepting the award, Shane was clearly delighted when “Show Off” won in its category; Best Established Company with New Add on.

“Noble Education, based out of Hanoi City in Vietnam*, and led in Ireland by Wicklow man Michael Noble, specializes in the development of Irish and UK higher education offerings in Vietnam. Noble is the largest representative of higher education in Vietnam and offers guidance to students from Vietnam who wish to study overseas in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. “Noble Education” won in its category; Best Startup.

“Both will now prepare for the National Finals which take place in December. The IBYE competition is open to everyone with an innovative business idea. The competition is designed to foster a culture of entrepreneurship in Ireland and to encourage the establishment of new innovative businesses by Ireland’s best young entrepreneurs. It is open to any young person with a business idea and is an integral part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs 2014.

“Investment funding of €50,000 is available through Wicklow Local Enterprise Office (LEO) to invest in 3 categories, Best Idea, Best Start-Up and Best Established Business with an Add-on. After initial screening, the competitors go through entrepreneur boot-camp stage which helps them to develop the idea from concept to reality and to develop the necessary level of planning to commercialise the idea.

“The opportunity to go through this screening and training process alone is a huge achievement and experience for these young entrepreneurs and can only benefit them as they progress in their careers. I applaud and admire the applicants who put their ideas forward and the two Wicklow representatives who will now go forward to the National finals. The energy, enthusiasm and confidence conveyed by these young business men and women was the most inspiring aspect of the evening and I wish them well as they prepare for the next stage of the competition.”