Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)

I wish to take the opportunity to ask the Taoiseach to talk to the Minister for Transport and ask him to urgently introduce the policy framework for unmanned aircraft systems. This regards the guidelines for the commercial operation of drones. In my constituency of Dublin Rathdown, there is a plan to open a drone delivery hub right in the heart of Dundrum village, next to Holy Cross Church. The decision has to be made on that by the closing date of 5 August, hence the urgent need for these guidelines. I hope that these guidelines will help reassure the general public about the noise, safety, privacy and environmental aspects of the operation of a drone delivery hub. It cannot be the case that we expect a funeral group, who expect calm and peace in their local church, to find themselves contending with the noise and buzzing of drones taking off and coming down right next door. I ask that, when the Minister publishes these guidelines, he takes into account our religious and community spaces and tries to provide some level of protection for them. The Minister of State, Deputy Higgins also raised this.

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