Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if drone activity has been identified in proximity to Irish airports outside of Dublin airport; if so, which airports has this activity resulted in flight disruption; if he will make provision for each airport to deal effectively with any future drone disruption attempts; how he plans to achieve this level of security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18837/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The oversight of safety standards at airports is a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

The IAA informed me that drone safety occurrences at Irish airports are filed on the ECCAIRS safety reporting system by the airport operator. In the last 12 months, the IAA received one report of drone activity within the restricted area of an airport other than Dublin airport. The drone safety occurrence took place at Waterford Airport in June 2022, with no disruption to air traffic and no safety impact. As the Deputy may be aware, there are no commercial passenger services at Waterford airport at present.

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.

As the Safety Regulator, the IAA is working with airports, airlines and air navigation service providers to address the risk of drone infringements in accordance with European guidelines. There is continuous engagement and airports have implemented procedures in accordance with the European Guidance with the emphasis on safety or flight operations.