Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, for coming to respond to this matter today. We are at a tipping point in the roll-out of commercial drone delivery in Ireland, but regulation has clearly not kept pace. In areas like Drumcondra and Glasnevin in my constituency, residents are raising serious concerns about noise, planning, the environmental impact and safety. Drumcondra was recently named Ireland's first autism-friendly village, a designation that carries responsibility to protect the sensory and environmental stability the community relies upon. Unregulated drone activity threatens that stability.

This area is also home to protected bats and nesting birds within an urban wildlife corridor. Drones, especially those using LiDAR, pose a threat to these species. Operating them without any environmental assessment is short-sighted. The Irish Aviation Authority recently met with residents to confirm its remit is limited to licensing and mechanical safety. It acknowledges major regulatory gaps, including, noise, health, planning and wildlife, and said a temporary restricted zone for drones is possible with a direction from the Minister. This community is not opposed to innovation, but it asks for basic safeguards. Interim protections are needed while national and EU regulations catch up with the pace of the commercial roll-out.

I wrote to the Minister this week to request a meeting with the Griffith Avenue and District Residents' Association, simply to discuss solutions, hear the concerns and to come back with something reasonable. In the meantime, I ask the Minister to direct the IAA to establish a temporary restriction zone for drones over the area. That should be something we can clearly agree is necessary. Residents in Drumcondra and Glasnevin, and in other communities, have engaged in good faith with the IAA and the drone operator. Now it is time for the Government to respond with the same seriousness to ensure technology does not outpace regulation and that communities have a voice in how it is introduced. This is something that we can solve. I do not see it as being insurmountable.

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