Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
130. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to instances of flights being impacted by GPS spoofing and-or jamming in Irish-controlled airspace in 2022, 2023 or to date in 2024; and if he and or his officials have engaged with the Irish Aviation Authority, the Department Of Defence and-or An Garda Síochána in respect of same over that time period. [22269/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of GNSS jamming and spoofing has been discussed by the Department with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and state and industry entities through the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (Dept. of Defence, Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána are all represented on this Committee) and the aviation safety-focused National State Safety Coordination Committee.
The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a fundamental element of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM), used for aircraft navigation and surveillance, and by numerous other essential aircraft systems in all phases of flight.
IAA, together with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have observed an increase in the number of reported incidents involving the jamming and/or spoofing of GNSS, including GPS, recently. This issue particularly affects the geographical areas surrounding conflict zones but is also encountered in the south and eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea, and present in Baltic Sea and Arctic area.
Jamming is an intentional radio frequency interference with GNSS signals. This interference prevents receivers from locking onto satellites signals and has the main effect of rendering the GNSS system ineffective or degraded for users in the jammed area. Spoofing involves broadcasting counterfeit satellite signals to deceive GNSS receivers, causing them to compute incorrect position, navigation, and timing data.
Ireland, under the oversight of COMREG, has legislation which prohibits the unauthorised use of jamming and/or spoofing equipment. The IAA has put in place guidance for air traffic management providers in Ireland in order to mitigate against potential safety challenges of jamming / spoofing.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a Safety Information Bulletin addressing the associated risks. The IAA continues to oversee recommendations in this area and has highlighted this specific safety issue and related EASA Safety Information Bulletin during recent safety review meetings with Irish aircraft operators and the Air Navigation Service Providers. The IAA, together with international organisations, continues to monitor the situation and takes mitigating action as needed.
