Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Unfortunately, in Blanchardstown we have been suffering with this for more than a year and a half and nobody is listening. Manna Drone Delivery began operating in Blanchardstown and it, apparently, has 170,000 drone flights done. The plan is for 2 million. The company has now linked up with the massive multinational, Deliveroo. Let us be clear: the company is not delivering blood or medicine; it is delivering burgers and lattes for profit.

So many residents have been raising this with public representatives in the area for more than a year and a half. We raised it on the council and now it must come to the Dáil. There must be regulation. As one resident said: "This is one company: what if the skies are opened up to all companies?" At the moment, it may be only bothering a limited number of people who are losing their right to enjoy their back gardens and their right to privacy. The noise is unbelievable. As one resident said, they have absolutely no issue with drone innovation technology, but beyond the serious privacy and safety issues, the persistent drone noise is disruptive and undermines the quiet residential character of the neighbourhood. They said it adds yet another layer of stress to daily life and reflects a broader problem, namely, the growing incursion of tech companies into our communities without democratic oversight or meaningful accountability. Drone delivery of fast food and consumer goods is not a public necessity. There are other ways to get food delivered.

The environment is constantly cited as an issue, but people have a right to enjoy their environment in peace and quiet, as do wildlife. No impact has been done on this. A WhatsApp survey was done on a group of residents in Castleknock. Some 50 people answered straightaway. I have the replies. The things they talked about include the fact that there is "no consent". One person said "my elderly mother finds them very distressing"; another said there is "zero transparency or accountability"; while others referred to "the frequency of flights has noticeably increased"; "the environmental impact" and a "close encounter with a bird".

I could go on. Nobody seems to care. This Dáil has to regulate for this.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank Deputies Gannon and Coppinger for raising this important issue. It is one that will become more prevalent. For many of us who live in areas adjacent to airports, it is an ongoing issue. I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Brien. I am taking this question for him this morning.

From an aviation safety perspective, the regulation of both the recreational and commercial use of drones, or unmanned aircraft systems as they are technically called, is provided for under European Union regulations that are directly applicable in Ireland. I have listened to the concerns outlined by both Deputies and will bring them back to the Department.

The IAA is working with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and other member states in developing guidelines and regulations on drone noises. Two drone-specific EU regulations ensure drone operations across Europe are safe and secure, namely, EU Regulation 2019/945 and Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/947. Both set out common rules for the regulation of drone operators including training, licensing and registration. The points by Deputies Gannon and Coppinger about the persistent noise and privacy are ones that we should listen to carefully because they are being articulated by many people. We are all in favour of innovation. I hope a solution will be found. I will relay Deputy Gannon’s comments about the residents he has met.

Regulation 2019/947 sets out operational rules that apply to both professional drone operators and those flying drones for leisure. Regulation 2019/945 sets the common EU-wide technical requirements for drones, including the features and capabilities that drones must have in order to be flown safely. This regulation also seeks to foster investment and innovation in this sector through a harmonised framework across the European Union.

The aim of the EU drone regulations is to achieve the same level of safety for drone operations as in manned aviation. The Irish Aviation Authority, the civil aviation regulator, oversees the implementation of the EU drone regulations and standards. The drone regulations are operation-centric and focus on the risk of drone operations, such that regulation is lighter on low-risk operations and more demanding on higher risk operations. Under the EU regulatory regime, drone operations are classified into three broad categories - open, specific and certified - with different regulatory considerations applied in each category. Commercial drone operations may fall into any one of the categories depending on the risk associated with the operation. Low-risk commercial drone operations, such as aerial photography, may fall into the open category where the regulation and oversight of operations are lighter. Other commercial drone operations, such as the drone delivery operations mentioned by Deputy Coppinger, are more closely regulated. These type of commercial drone operations may fall into the medium-risk “specific” category, which may require specific authorisation by the IAA. I agree with Deputy Coppinger; there must be other ways of carrying out home delivery. I completely concur with her on that matter.

This type of authorisation is recognised in all EU member states. To obtain an operational authorisation, an operator must provide a comprehensive safety portfolio, which includes assessing and addressing both ground and air risks with appropriate mitigations. These might include, for example, co-ordination with air traffic control or fitting the drone with a parachute and flight termination system.

At a national level, SI 24/2023, Irish Aviation Authority (Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)) Order 2023, came into force on 2 February 2023, replacing an earlier drones order. It states the investigative and enforcement powers of the IAA and provides for arrangements between An Garda Síochána and the IAA in respect of enforcement of EU drone regulations. It also includes a section on privacy rights, which draws the attention of drone operators to preparing a data protection impact assessment where required in accordance with the EU general data protection regulation. That is about ensuring the points made by Deputy Coppinger are fulfilled and complied with.

I will bring the Deputies’ comments back to the Department. It is important we have privacy, protect wildlife and ensure the regulations are upheld.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I appreciate that the regulations speak to how drones may be flown safely, but they do not in the slightest capture how drones may be experienced safely. That is particularly pronounced in a village like Drumcondra, Ireland’s first autism-friendly village. Significant sensory issues will not be captured in the regulations for how drones may be flown safely. It is a bit of a dystopian future when even one operator at the moment causes a hum of annoyance. What happens when a second or third one starts? I do not think any of us wants to see that. I accept there will be parts of the country, such as in more remote areas, where this could probably be beneficial but this is not required in Drumcondra, Glasnevin, Dublin's inner city or Castleknock. We are asking for the solution that was offered, namely, the establishment of a temporary drone- or UAS-restricted geographical zone over the areas that are most impacted at the moment in the absence of regulation. That seems like a solution until we bring in some commonsense regulation to this issue, which I imagine will become increasingly prevalent across the Chamber.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I did not have time to read the Minister of State's substantial prepared answer but the Department of Transport has known about this because residents have been in contact. The Minister, Deputy Chambers, is also based in the area and replied to residents last August. I warn people in Dublin city that this is what they are in for. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, it seems, will let these companies unleash this on people.

One of the problems is that the drones are restricted from flying too high because of planes and, obviously, the lower they are, the more noise they generate. The operator is supposed to restrict their hours of operation but that is not being followed, according to residents. They are also supposed to alter their flightpaths so that they are not constantly going over the same houses. That does not happen either. For so many people, the only thing they have in life is sitting outside in their back garden or enjoying their own home, given that they cannot afford to go out, yet this is what they are constantly subjected to.

I have to hand an example of the noise of a drone, which was recorded as it flew over my housing estate in Mulhuddart. This is what people are listening to on a Saturday morning, in the evening or whenever. This really needs to be brought home because as one resident asked, will our skies become as busy as our roads? No private company should have the right to do this. If this is necessary, as Deputy Gannon said, for isolated areas, I can see that but it should be run by the State.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Minister of State put the matter on the transport committee's agenda?

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Sorry, I cannot put it on the transport committee's agenda. That is a matter for the Chair of the committee, Deputy Michael Murphy. The Deputy might write to him.