Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 25 together.

The Defence Forces operate a system of unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, as an information-gathering asset. They provide a low-cost and low-risk means of increasing surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities. They also provide a forward observation and surveillance capacity of potential threats for deployed units on overseas peace support operations, thereby enhancing force protection. As the UAVs acquired by the Defence Forces are at the low end of the UAV spectrum, there are no weapon issues associated with them. The initial deployment by the Defence Forces of UAVs was with the EU-led mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, which commenced in February 2008 when the Deputy's party was in government. The deployment of Defence Forces UAVs with the UN follow-on mission, MINURCAT, continued until the withdrawal of the Irish battalion in April 2010.

The European Council meeting in December 2013 underlined the need to intensify EU-level co-operation on the development of remotely piloted aircraft systems. In this regard, the Council has asked the European Commission to establish a regulatory framework for the initial integration of remotely piloted aircraft systems into the European aviation system by 2016. The Council remains committed to delivering key capabilities and addressing critical shortfalls through concrete projects by member states, supported by the European Defence Agency. This support includes appropriate research and development activities for the integration of remotely piloted aircraft systems, which we refer to as UAVs, into European airspace as soon as possible. It also supports close synergies between the relevant bodies and agencies and member states engaged in the development of technologies needed in this capability area.

Remotely piloted aircraft systems have a wide range of civilian and military applications, particularly in the area of surveillance over land and sea. They have the ability to perform tasks that manned systems cannot perform for safety or economic reasons. Remotely piloted aircraft can efficiently complement existing manned aircraft or satellite infrastructure used in areas like environmental protection, maritime surveillance, natural disasters, crisis management and border control. While Ireland is not actively involved in this project, it endorses the work being carried out by the European Commission and the European Defence Agency.

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