The Taoiseach is among people whose driving licences have lapsed "because of the casual attitude to driving licences that has developed in the country", Labour's transport spokeswoman, Ms Róisín Shortall, has claimed. Marie O'Halloran reports.
However, Mr Ahern is unlikely to need his licence again because all serving and former taoisigh are entitled to a State car and a driver for life.
Ms Shortall made her remarks during transport questions, when she said that "many experienced drivers who have been driving for many years let their licences lapse. Does the Minister intend making any special provision for those people, or will they have to undergo a test again?"
The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, ruled out making "any specific arrangements" to deal with people whose driving licences had lapsed.
He promised, however, to look at her other concern about people driving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and buses.
Ms Shortall called for the Minister to give priority for driving tests to motorists on provisional licences who were driving such vehicles, "a large number of whom end up involved in traffic accidents".
Mr Brennan said it was not acceptable for a person on a provisional licence to drive a HGV. "Nor is it acceptable that those on fourth or fifth provisional licences are driving around the country."
He renewed his promise to bring proposals to Government "shortly" following a review of the use of provisional licences. He aims to end the arrangement where drivers on their second provisional licence can drive unaccompanied.
Mr Jimmy Deenihan (FG, Kerry North) said that young drivers waiting for tests were spending €50 million extra on insurance because they did not have full licences.