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

The safety of aircraft and people on the ground is my primary concern relating to illegal drone use. There are EU and national rules in place around the use of drones, including an exclusion zone of 5 km around airports. The misuse of drones is an offence. In response to illegal use of drones, summary proceedings and proceedings on indictment can be brought under both civil aviation legislation and the criminal code. Significant penalties of up to life imprisonment are available and enforcement activity can be taken by the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, or An Garda Síochána. Cases relating to illegal drone use at Dublin Airport are currently before the courts.

In addition to the exclusion around airports, drone geographical zones, or "geo-zones", can be established by the IAA for the purpose of ensuring safety, security, privacy or environmental protection. Drone geo-zones are portions of airspace where drone operations are facilitated, restricted or excluded. Geo-zones are established around international airports and include critical areas. However, they are not exclusive to airports and can be established anywhere there is a demonstrated need. To keep aircraft and people on the ground safe, geo-zones have been established in Ireland and include zones around critical infrastructure, as well as areas around aerodromes. Local authorities may request the establishment of these zones for safety, security, privacy, or environmental purposes. Geo-zones are published and made available worldwide. In addition, the IAA will be publishing geo-zone data in a common digital format later this year. This will allow drone manufactures to easily incorporate an accurate representation of a geo-zone onto their devices, which will either stop the drone from flying into the zone or alert the operator that the drone is about to enter a restricted zone.

My Department is developing a policy framework for unmanned aircraft systems that will address planning and the use of airspace issues and measures on enforcement and compliance. The foundation of the policy framework is cross-Government engagement. Local authorities, through the County and City Management Association, were represented on one of the working groups and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has a representative on the steering group set up to progress the policy framework.

On the recent incidents of illegal drone activity at Dublin Airport, my Department is engaging with relevant colleagues across Government and State agencies to explore means by which we can effectively counter and deter any such further activity.

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