Dr. Gerard Dooly:

I thank the committee for the invitation to speak today. I am an associate professor at the school of engineering at the University of Limerick and director of the centre for robotics and intelligent systems. I lead all drone operations at the University of Limerick under its operator licence and manage a large cohort of qualified pilots under various categories. For over a decade, our work, supported by EU and Irish national funding grants, has focused on real-world drone applications across emergency response, environmental monitoring, offshore energy and industrial inspection. I am joined by my colleague, Mr. Anthony Weir, one of my primary pilots and field operators.

This meeting comes at a time when public awareness of drones is rapidly growing. Recent developments have sparked debate, particularly regarding the frequency and noise of drone delivery operations. While these concerns are understandable, I stress that the technology itself is not the core issue. The real challenge lies in how we regulate, deploy and engage with the public on the use of drones in a way that supports both innovation and community well-being. Globally, we are witnessing a decisive shift in how nations are embracing drones, not just as niche tools but as mainstream infrastructure. In the UK, a £2 billion investment was announced just a few weeks ago to expand drone capabilities across defence and civil applications. Both the United States and Canada made significant announcements in recent months and are accelerating drone innovation, largely through deregulation and investment to promote competitiveness. Across Europe, member states are investing in U-space corridors, digital air traffic services and innovation zones to co-ordinate safe integration of drones into airspace.

Ireland should not fall behind. Through the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, and within the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, EASA, framework, Ireland has a strong foundation for drone regulation. Regulation must evolve alongside adoption. We have the opportunity to improve the responsiveness of licensing processes, expand the IAA’s capacity for regulation and, ultimately, support the operators who are working to comply with complex technical requirements. Public education and awareness campaigns can also go a long way towards demystifying drone use and helping the wider population understand the benefits and obligations tied to responsible operations. We can also do more to increase awareness among general aviation pilots, who must understand and respect the realities of operating in shared airspace.

Drones are not just for delivery. They are reshaping agriculture, construction, habitat monitoring, infrastructure inspection and emergency services. They reduce risk, lower emissions and create high-value jobs. With the right supports, Ireland can lead not just in flying drones but in building the smart, safe systems they rely on.