Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 March 2025
266. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a timeline for his Department to publish its policy framework on commercial drone regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10621/25]
View answer267. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to introduce regulations differentiating between various types of commercial drone uses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10622/25]
View answer268. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce regulations to mitigate noise disruption caused by commercial drone use in residential areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10623/25]
View answer269. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce regulations on the noise emissions of commercial drones, including design and operational standards, to mitigate noise pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10624/25]
View answer270. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications made to the Irish Aviation Authority to operate drones in the 'specific' category; the number of applications accepted; the number of applications rejected, in each of the years from 2023 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10625/25]
View answer271. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of drone operators investigated by the Irish Aviation Authority and An Garda Síochána for non-compliance with drone regulations since the commencement of S.I. No. 24 of 2023 (Irish Aviation Authority (Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)) Order 2023), per year, between 2023 and 2025, into 'open' and 'specific' categories, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10626/25]
View answer272. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of drone operators found to be non-compliant with drone regulations by the Irish Aviation Authority and An Garda Síochána since the commencement of S.I. No. 24 of 2023 (Irish Aviation Authority (Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)) Order 2023), per year, between 2023 and 2025, into 'open' and 'specific' categories, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10627/25]
View answer273. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if he will increase the required cruising altitude for commercial drones to mitigate noise disruption caused by commercial drone use in residential areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10628/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 266 to 273, inclusive, together.
The regulation of both the recreational and commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS - drones) is provided for under European Union regulations that are directly applicable in Ireland. The primary regulations that govern the use drones are made under Regulation EU 2018/1139 on common rules in the field of civil aviation (known as the Basic Regulation). There are two UAS-specific regulations made under the Basic Regulation namely: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the procedures and rules for the operation of unmanned aircraft and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on unmanned aircraft and on third country operators of unmanned aircraft systems. Regulation (EU) 2019/947 sets operational rules that apply to both professional drone operators and those flying drones for leisure. Regulation (EU) 2019/945 sets the common EU-wide technical requirements for drones, the features and capabilities that drones must have in order to be flown safely and, at the same time, help foster investment and innovation in this sector, through a harmonised framework across the European Union. In terms of noise and design requirements, Regulation (EU) 2019/945 includes noise requirements through the CE marking for a limited number of drone operations. The Irish Aviation Authority is working with the European Aviation Safety Agency and other member states on developing guidelines and regulation around drone noise.These EU drone regulations are operation centric and focus on the risk of operations, i.e. the requirements for low risk operations are less onerous than for higher risk operations. Under the EU regulatory regime, drones are categorised under three broad types – Open, Specific and Certified - with different regulatory considerations applied across each type. Commercial drone delivery operations are closely regulated and fall into the medium risk “specific” category, which requires specific authorisation by the IAA. This type of authorisation is recognised in all EU Member States. To obtain an operational authorisation, an operator must provide a comprehensive safety portfolio which includes assessing and addressing both ground and air risks with appropriate mitigations. These might include, for example, coordination with Air Traffic Control and the fitting the drone with a parachute and flight termination system. There is also a European regulatory framework (Regulations (EU) 2021/664, 2021/665, and 2021/666) that allows for the safe development of the drone services market, including drone delivery, and the integration of drones into our airspace. The U-space Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/664) emerged to support commercial operations with drones, especially those entailing greater complexity and automation, to provide for the safe integration of a number of drone flights in a volume of airspace. Essentially, U-space is an area of airspace where drone operations may only occur with the support of U-space services. At a minimum these must include network identification, traffic management, flight authorisation and geo-awareness. U-space full services are not envisaged until 2030. In addition to complying with EU drone regulations, drone operators must also comply with national laws, including environmental, planning and privacy laws. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to finalising and implementing a policy framework to guide high-level strategic planning and development of the drone sector in Ireland through supporting growth and innovation while ensuring safe and secure operations and addressing environmental and other concerns. The policy framework will recognise the importance of ongoing collaboration and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and is informed by work across government and public and industry consultation. It is envisaged that the policy framework will be published in the coming months. The matters raised by the Deputy in relation to cruising altitudes for commercial drones, instances of non-compliance with drone regulations and applications to operate drones in the specific category are matters for the civil aviation regulator, the Irish Aviation Authority. These matters have been referred to the Irish Aviation Authority for a direct reply. If reply is not received within the next 10 days please do not hesitate to contact my office.
