Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to regulate for insurance for hobby drone users; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the two insurance companies here underwritten by UK companies that offer insurance cover for drones will not cover drones used by amateurs and hobbyists; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that there have been a number of accidents and damage to property caused by drones operated by amateurs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15299/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy's  question seems to refer to the issue of whether the State should make it a requirement for drone users to have insurance cover before drones can be used, because of the risk of third party damage. In this regard, it should be noted that insurance for activities is not generally a compulsory  requirement, with the obvious exception of motor insurance. Any decision to make it compulsory would have to be made by those more familiar with the risks associated with the use of drones. In this regard, I understand that the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)  requires all drones weighing more than 1 kg or more to be registered. I also understand that the IAA  encourages all drone users (recreational and commercial) to familiarise themselves with all rules and regulations  relating to drone safety prior to use.  In addition the IAA provides information on the safe use of drones at www.iaa.ie/general-aviation/drones.

As Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation including insurance. Neither I nor the Central Bank of Ireland can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as these matters are of a commercial nature, and are determined by insurance companies based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance which expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products. Therefore the question of whether an insurance provider is willing to cover the risk of drones used by amateurs and hobbyists will be based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept.