Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)

I know of no other innovative cutting-edge technology sector where that technology is just let loose without any regulatory structures being put in place.

This is new and innovative. Maybe it is a good thing but it has been allowed to happen without regulation. There is no regulation or clarity on whether planning permission is required for a drone base. There is no way to deal with noise complaints. When representatives of Dublin City Council came before a committee, they were very clear. Section 108 of the EPA Act stops the council from dealing with noise pollution.

Can I draw the attention of the Minister to actions 15 and 16, which state that the UAS sector, in conjunction with the Irish Aviation Authority, will establish and promote relevant test sites and the Irish Aviation Authority will promote processes that allow for the allocation of airspace for experimental and developing UAS operations? There is an experiment taking place in Dublin 15 without any regulatory structures. That is not acceptable and I will work to put in place the regulatory structures the Department is not delivering.

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