Further to my response to the previous Parliamentary Question from 18 February 2025 as referenced by the Deputy in his question, the Defence Forces advise that the report remains with the military authorities for further consideration in respect of the regulatory impacts, across a range of Defence Forces regulations, should the recommendations of the study group on Defence Forces Standards of Colour deficiency be adopted.
More specifically, the Defence Forces advise that their Medical Branch is currently engaged in reviewing the recommendations contained in the report with regards to the range of secondary tests that are now available. As part of that process, they are liaising with specialists from the National Optometry Centre, to identify the most effective, equitable, and cost-efficient option for secondary testing.
Following identification and consideration of the appropriate secondary testing and the regulatory impacts and subject to approval by the Defence Forces Board, the next stage will be engagement with officials from my Department to determine an agreed position before engagement with the Representative Associations.
