AQW 13666/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 28/01/2021
Answered On Date: 05/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail efforts being undertaken to negate the need for Northern Ireland motorists to obtain and carry a Green Card when travelling into the Republic of Ireland.

Answer:

Following the end of the transition period, the UK no longer has automatic membership of the Green Card Free Circulation Zone established by the Motor Insurance Directive. Approval has been sought from the EU to be re-admitted but until or unless the EU decides to re-admit the UK, a green card will be required for vehicles from GB and NI being driven in any EU country.

As insurance is a reserved matter, the Department for Transport have been engaged with the motor insurance industry on this matter. I am clear that motorists travelling north and south should face no disruption, and in line with this objective, my officials remain in regular contact throughout this engagement to ensure the specific needs of Northern Ireland motorists are taken into account and they can drive south without any need for a Green Card.