Providing it is piloted by an appropriately licensed pilot, a helicopter may be operated over built up areas, including Dublin city, without specific prior approval. The helicopter must be operated in compliance with the Air Navigation (Rules of the Air) Order, 1973 (SI No. 22 of 1973) which requires that all helicopter flights are conducted without hazard to persons or property and at a height which would permit a helicopter in the event of an emergency occurring, to alight without hazard to persons or property.
The following are the numbers of pilots licensed to operate helicopters in the years 1987-89; the figures for 1990 are the same as those for 1989.