Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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217. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the current laws on the use of drones, noting the increase in the use of personally owned drones and having due regard for privacy laws for the greater public. [17969/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​The increase in the operation and use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), also known as drones, is not a phenomenon exclusive to Ireland; it is on a global scale and it is appropriate that rules be developed internationally to regulate their operation and use.

In March of this year under the Riga Declaration, the European Commission, in concert with the European Union Aviation Community, established the principles to guide the regulatory framework for RPAS in Europe. Central to these principles is the consideration of citizen's fundamental rights – the right to privacy and the use of personal data. The aim is for a European regulatory system which ensures the responsibility and accountability of operators so as to facilitate the enforcement of the regulations by the Authorities.

The Irish Aviation Authority, which is responsible for the safety of airspace operators in Ireland, published its policy for the regulation of the safe use of RPAS in Ireland in April 2012. The IAA is a member of the International grouping of Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems(JARUS), which is engaged in furthering the development of international standards in personnel licensing and competency towards the safe operation of RPAS.