Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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161. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to change the power of a motorbike a driver can operate with a full category B car licence and initial basic training to bring the rules into line with similar requirements in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39043/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles, and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence, are all set at EU level. Irish licensing law is in line with EU requirements.

Under the EU Directives, a Member State may provide for category A1 motorcycles under a licence for category B, which would only be valid for driving on their territory. It is not my intention to provide this provision. Initial basic training must be completed and a motorcycle driving test must be passed for all motorcycle categories. The continuing toll of fatal and serious accidents on our roads means we cannot compromise on ensuring all road users are as safe as possible.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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162. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some persons have been left out of pocket as a result of the recent extension of the expiration date for driver licences due to the fact that many persons obtained a medical examination to renew their driver licence but now cannot do so and will need to pay to obtain another medical examination in advance of renewing their licence in ten months’ time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39044/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland received authorisation from the EU to extend driving licences that expire between 1 July and 31 October 2021 for an additional 10 months. This extension was granted under EU Regulation 2021/267 and was applied on 2 July 2021. A copy of the Regulation can be found on the European Union Law website:

eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R0267&qid=1625569643896 .

When the extension is applied, the expiry date on the driver file for each person affected is updated to the new expiry date. By law, a driving licence cannot be renewed more than 3 months before the expiry of the licence.

The Deputy will appreciate that the requirement to submit a medical report dated not more than one month prior to the application is to ensure that the most up-to-date assessment of the applicant is provided.

I am aware that some people seeking to renew their licences may have obtained medical certificates that are no longer required, owing to the extension of their licences. However, for all classes of licence where a medical certificate is required, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide this and there is no mechanism to reimburse individual applicants.