Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Irish driving licence law is framed by the requirements of EU legislation. Under the EU directives, a person with an identified or specified illness, such as diabetes, is required to provide a medical report when applying for a learner permit or driving licence. The medical report must be completed by a general practitioner, GP, and a licence may be issued for one, three or ten years. The period of issue is based on the GP's assessment of the applicant and his or her recommendation. This is based on the medical advice determined by a GP when the person presents to him or her.

A clinical guidance document, Sláinte agus Tiomáint Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines, is compiled by the Road Safety Authority in conjunction with the National Office for Traffic Medicine. It provides guidelines for medical professionals to assist in their assessment of an individual applicant's fitness to drive a motor vehicle.

A ten-year driving licence costs €55. A reduced fee of €35 is charged for a three-year licence, while there is no charge for a one-year licence. I hear the concerns the Deputy is raising in respect of the costs and I will certainly follow up with the RSA in respect of the cost differential.

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