Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I rise to raise the issue of the primary medical certificate. This is required by people who apply for a disabled driver's pass. The disabled drivers scheme is very positive. There have been a number of initiatives that have been improved in recent years such as the amount of money that is allowed towards the car adaptation. Disabled drivers can park in disabled parking spaces and this helps many people who have severe disabilities. The rules state that applicants: "must be completely or almost completely without the use of both legs, or completely without the use of one of the legs, and almost completely without the use of the other leg to the extent that you are severely restricted as regards movement in your legs, be without both hands or both arms, be without one or both legs, be completely or almost completely without the use of both hands or arms and completely or almost completely without the use of one leg or have the medical condition of dwarfism and serious difficulties of movement of the legs."

While I understand that people with these conditions qualify for this primary medical certificate, I am aware of a case involving a gentleman with no sight in one eye and only 40% sight in the other eye. He is obviously not allowed to drive, but under the scheme a family member can apply for the pass on their behalf and avail of the benefits which go with it. This man also uses a walking aid. Due to the fact that the scheme is so restrictive, there is no scope for discretion which is what I am looking for. Each case would have to be taken on its merits and if people were trying to fool the system I would agree that they should not qualify. However, I would like that some form of discretion would be included in the scheme so that each case would be taken on its own merits if it does not qualify within the original rules.