Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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235. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the strategy to cease the disruption caused by drones at airports here; if he will identify the steps which need to be taken; and where the responsibility for action lies in each case. [12327/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Irish airports have procedures in place to handle the risk posed by illegal drone activity, developed in accordance with guidance on managing drone safety risk issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Safety critical areas are defined and a risk assessment is maintained at our airports.

The Government agreed on Tuesday 7 March to appoint daa to purchase and deploy counter drone technology at Dublin airport as a matter of urgency. daa is already examining potential technology solutions and engaging with potential suppliers with a view to having counter drone technology operational at Dublin Airport in a matter of weeks.

The Government also agreed that consideration will also be given to the tasking of an existing state agency to select and deploy counter drone technology more broadly to protect critical infrastructure, including our airports, in the medium to longer term.