Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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42. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the eyesight standards in relation to applicants for the Naval Service Reserve have been updated and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9407/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the military authorities that a report regarding eyesight standards required for Naval Service Reserve recruits has been submitted by the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service (FOCNS) to the General Staff and the findings of this report will be considered in due course.

The origins of the current report date from 2018 when the Naval Service undertook to examine the current eyesight standards pertaining to the Naval Service. As is normal practice, I am advised that this proposal has been circulated to a variety of offices within the Defence Forces that are required to have an input into such proposal, for example, the Director of Medical Branch and the Director of Legal Services.

I look forward to the seeing the final report and reviewing its recommendations. Any recommendation to amend eyesight standards will, of course, have a requirement for engagement with the representative associations. When finalised any changes recommended will also require an amendment to Defence Forces Regulations.