The Government has published official guidance for the operation and management of drones in Irish airspace.
As part of the National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), a working group on drone geographical zones will be established.
This group will look at the safe integration of drones into our airspace as well as their impact on society and the environment.
Fixed charge offences are also set to be introduced for drone regulation infringements around privacy, safety, and noise.
Gardaí and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) are responsible for enforcing current EU drone regulations.
These two bodies, together with the Data Protection Commission, will continue to work on enhancing investigations of offences related to drone use.
Meanwhile, the framework will see a U-space steering group being set up. U-space refers to specific services and procedures to ensure safe and efficient access to airspace for a high volume of drones.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said the policy framework, which was included in the Programme for Government, “recognises the importance of collaboration and engagement of a wide range of stakeholders.”
“It aims to facilitate consideration of how matters such as planning and environmental issues will be addressed by the appropriate authorities, including in the context of the expansion of commercial drone delivery services,” he added.
The minister also said the “implementation of the policy framework relies on cross-government structures and the continuation of engagement and support from various departments, agencies, the UAS sector and the public.
“Given the rapid pace of evolution of the UAS sector internationally, the Policy Framework will be a living document that will have to continue to evolve to keep pace with these developments,” he added.
Drones are used as daily tools in areas such as inspections (pipeline, rail, wind turbine maintenance), agriculture, mapping, architecture, construction, real estate, energy, environment, meteorological applications, and public safety.
In Ireland they are being rolled out across services including emergency response (eg Dublin Fire Brigade for assessing risks and managing responses to risks), dangerous building and site inspections by local authorities (eg, Dublin City Council), environmental monitoring (Environmental Protection Agency) and goods and medical delivery.
However, they are also being increasingly used for food delivery in some areas of Dublin.
Drone-delivery company Manna says it has made deliveries to 42,000 households in Dublin 15 over the past 18 months.
Manna founder and chief executive Bobby Healy welcomed the Government’s National Policy Framework for UAS.
He said it is “a pivotal moment by establishing a clear, forward-looking regulatory foundation, the Government has laid the groundwork for a safe, innovative, and globally competitive drone economy.
“At Manna, we’ve long believed that right policy enables real progress. Going forward, this policy signals that Ireland is ready to lead in UAV innovation, attract investment, and foster high-tech job creation – powered by responsible regulation and collective ambition,” he added.
Drone flight paths to be examined
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has said the management of flight paths for drones in Irish airspace will be looked at.
“That is not to stifle the sector but it’s to look at very specific measures around geographical zones, how they can be managed, how we look at our regulatory framework about how this sector can grow in a sustainable way,” he said.
The minister said that a national working group on geographical zones will be established, following on from the policy document published today.
“We have had 50 submissions to this policy document, many of which from operators, residents and others. It is actually trying to bring all that together to look at how we licence drone usage, which is being done already through the IAA,” he said.
He said it will be looked at how flight paths for drones can be “managed effectively” and how that can permeate down to local authorities.
“There are areas where there is a concentration of drone usage that some welcome, that some don’t. This is a sector that is going to be with us well into the future.
“We are one of the first European countries to come forward with this comprehensive framework around system usage,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said there will be penalties and enabling enforcement under the legislation.
He said Fixed Charged Offences will be introduced for infringement of the regulations, which is being worked on, with gardaí, the IAA and the Data Protection Commission “continuing to publicise conviction and enforcement actions relating to infringement”.
“There are certain powers in place already, we have got to look to see how they have been strengthened further without stifling the growth in what is a very important sector that can really help people and business in relation to their normal lives,” he said.
