A new agreement between ministers across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the wider UK means drivers disqualified for serious motoring offences in the Republic of Ireland will no longer escape punishment when they return home.

Similarly, disqualifications earned by Irish motorists while in the UK will be recognised and enforced when they return to the Republic.

Northern Ireland road safety minister Edwin Poots commented that a reduction in the number of road deaths and serious injuries since the mid-1990s means "we now have some of the safest roads in the world".

“But we need to continue to work tirelessly to make our roads even safer and, if a UK driver commits a serious offence while in another jurisdiction, it is right that their disqualification should still apply when they return home," he added.

"This new law will ensure that disqualified drivers are not able to escape their punishment and so keep dangerous drivers off the roads."

Northern Ireland car insurance experts have also pointed out that the new law, which took effect last week, is the first practical step to recognise driving disqualifications in Europe under the terms of the 1998 European Convention on driving disqualifications.