Ms Emer Dalton:

Civil Defence has been at the forefront of drone usage in the past ten years and has enhanced its capabilities. Of the 28 units throughout the country, 21 have drone technology. Most recently, Civil Defence has been involved in a collaborative project with the Defence Forces, Science Foundation Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and the Tyndall National Institute to develop a drone radio relay system. It uses artificial intelligence, AI, technology. From a Civil Defence perspective, it would be particularly useful in the likes of missing person searches in inhospitable areas. This has been a focus for Civil Defence for the past ten years and will continue to be such going forward.

Mr. Twomey may wish to come in on the operational side.