Recently, Dublin Airport has faced massive delays in baggage handling, and many passengers are facing lost baggage. The Department of Transport in Ireland has said that those with a Brazilian driving license can't drive airside unless they get an Irish license.
Making an ongoing situation worse
The ban on Brazilian driving licenses in Ireland means that many baggage handlers who work for companies like Swissport and Sky Handling Partner cannot drive. This ban will result in more delays for passengers.
The Irish authorities have told these workers that to be able to drive, they must apply for an Irish license. Currently, several Brazilian staff are working airside at Dublin Airport. These workers have been trying to keep up with baggage demand at the airport. However, recent scenes at Dublin Airport show a dire situation.
In Terminal 1, piles of bags are piled up against a wall, waiting for their owners to return. Back in August, Simple Flying reported that Sky Handling Partner, one of the ground operation companies at the airport, was putting lost bags in a dumpster for disposal.
The Dublin Airport Authority said in a statement back in August saying:
"Baggage handling at #DublinAirport is carried out by individual airlines, or by their local ground handling agent at the airport. Daa does not employ any baggage handling staff & has no information in relation to missing baggage."
A Fine Gael politician, Brendan Griffin TD, became aware of the licensing problem after helping a Ukrainian family with their lost luggage at Dublin Airport. He claimed that the Department for Transport made it very clear to those working at the airport that an Irish or EU license is required to drive there, like any other public road.
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What's the next step for workers?
In order for the ground handlers to be eligible to drive, they must apply for an Irish Driving license. Usually, anyone looking to get a license must complete 12 lessons and take a test. However, as the handlers have a Brazilian license, they can take six and then apply for a test.
Mr Griffin said:
"If they have a full driving licence from their own country, they can do six driving lessons instead of the regular 12 lessons, and apply for a fast-track test. If you state you need it for work purposes, you can get it very quickly."
However, the Director of Ground Operations at Dublin Airport said at an Oireachtas Transport Committee meeting in July that these handlers would likely get their licenses by Christmas due to a significant backlog in tests and lessons. Furthermore, the Director said that the government should increase the "driver pool" allowed to drive in Ireland.
The Minister for State at the Department of Transport, Ms Hildigrade Naughton TD, said:
"The Department informed Dublin Airport that Ireland does not have a licence exchange agreement with Brazil, so those resident licence holders cannot legally drive here on Irish roads or airside on their Brazilian licences."
What do you think of the situation? Have you been affected by the crisis at Dublin Airport? Comment below
Source: Business Post