Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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1231. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding eye tests for driving licences for older persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12914/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Requirements to be met in order to be considered medically fit to drive, including the eyesight requirements, are set at EU rather than national level.  Because of the inevitable risk of deteriorations in health, including eyesight, due to aging, people renewing their driving licences after the age of 70 are required to undergo both medical and eyesight tests. The eyesight test can be carried out either by a GP or by an optician.  There is no requirement that eyesight test must be carried out by a GP. I should add that there may be circumstances where specialist opinion is needed, and this may require input from an optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist.