Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I thank the witnesses for being here today. They may have noticed that drones are getting a lot of attention at the moment.

Let me be clear; I am from Dublin West and this is no small, local matter. Dublin 15 is being used as a test ground to launch commercial drone operations nationally and globally. The decisions the Government is making now will shape how home deliveries and drone technology will develop now and into the future. My first question is: does Mr. Gavin accept we currently do not have an integrated regulatory framework when it comes to commercial drone operations? As was said, regulations focus on air and ground risk and do not take residential amenity into consideration. All four Dublin councils operate under a combined noise action plan, based on the EU environmental noise directive. However, drones appear to fall outside this framework. Is it correct that drone noise is not currently monitored or mapped under this plan? Which authority, if any, is responsible for monitoring drone generated environmental noise?