asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the arrangements under international law or agreement for the medical examination in Ireland of applicants for the grant or renewal of commercial civil aviation pilots' licences; how long any such arrangements may have been in force, and whether any changes have been introduced recently, and (b) whether arrangements exist for the medical examination in Ireland of applicants for the grant of non-commercial civil aviation pilots' licences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aviation Pilots' Licences.
Applicants for the grant or renewal of commercial pilot licences are required to undergo medical examination. This examination is carried out by a board of doctors appointed for the purpose by the Minister for Defence. From the beginning of civil aviation activity in this country the Department of Defence have cooperated by arranging for the medical examination of pilots. The setting up of the board has been the principal change in procedure in recent years. The present arrangements were made by the Minister for Defence at the request of my Department and I am satisfied that they have proved satisfactory.
Applicants for the grant or renewal of non-commercial pilots' licences are required to undergo examination by their own medical practitioner. The report of this examination is passed to the board of doctors to which I have referred for assessment of fitness for flying.
All the arrangements for medical examination are fully in accordance with international requirements.
May I ask how long these arrangements have been in force and whether any changes have been introduced recently? These are parts of the question and I expected an answer from the Minister.
The arrangements, I think, have been in force since before my time and, so far as I am aware, no recent alterations have been made.
I asked the question because I wanted to know how long these arrangements have been in force. Will the Minister convey to me, privately or otherwise, how long they have been in force?
I will be very glad to do that.