Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I assure Deputy Durkan that this is being taken very seriously and urgent action is being taken. A number of meetings and engagements have taken place on the potential purchasing of counter-drone technology.

In response to the issue of criminal enforcement, significant penalties are available, including sentences up to life imprisonment. This is a very serious sanction. The Deputies are correct. Someone recklessly flying a drone that hits the cockpit or enters a jet engine could take down an aircraft. It could have very serious consequences for anyone flying a drone in the exclusion zone of 5 km around an airfield. This is why prosecutions are important and why there is a strong criminal sanction.

On the separate question of whether we need to update the legal and regulatory context for the purchasing of counter-drone technology, this matter is under assessment. It may require legislation. We will be able to update the House on this when we have feedback from our colleagues in the Irish Aviation Authority and An Garda Síochána.

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