Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputies Gannon and Coppinger. Aviation, as we know, is a highly regulated industry. There is a comprehensive legislative framework both at European and national levels to generate and regulate safe drone operations. The rapid pace of drone innovation and commercialisation is creating challenges, which the Government will meet. There has been engagement with the IAA. The Government is completely aware that the impact of a growing drone sector, with an increase in the volume of drone operations, requires further consideration. I will bring the concerns back and particularly the piece around autism because Deputy Gannon makes a very good point. I will also take back the points Deputy Coppinger made. It is about the noise being consistent. As she said, the drones may not be flying as high, because of the regulations, but they are flying lower and that is causing a challenge.

The programme for Government, as the Deputies well know, includes a commitment to finalise and publish a policy framework for drones and guide high-level strategic planning and development of the drone sector in Ireland through supporting growth and innovation while ensuring safe and secure operations and managing environmental and other concerns. The policy framework recognises the importance of collaboration and the engagement of a wide range of stakeholders. The foundation of the policy framework is a cross-governmental Department engagement and is informed by both public and industry consultation.

Last year, a public consultation was held. It sought feedback from the public on several key areas including how to respond to public concerns about the increased use of drones, how to position Ireland as a potential front-runner in the emerging sector and how to future-proof responsible development of the drone industry. I will convey to the Department the points made by both Deputies because they fit into that public consultation feedback. The policy framework must, and does, seek to balance between realising the benefits of the development and managing public concerns about the increasing use of drones, as articulated by both Members this morning.

I thank Deputies Coppinger and Gannon for bringing the matter before us. I am sure this will form just one of many Topical Issue debates we will have on this because it is becoming an issue in many parts of the country, not just in the two areas outlined this morning.

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