Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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346. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the authority responsible for the regulation of commercial drone food delivery services, particularly regarding their impact on communities including safety and noise pollution; how the public can have their voices heard in this regulatory process; to consider updating national planning and transport regulations to address the increasing use of drones in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12036/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The regulation of both the recreational and commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS - drones) is provided for under European Union regulations that are directly applicable in Ireland.

The primary regulations that govern the use drones are made under Regulation EU 2018/1139 on common rules in the field of civil aviation (known as the Basic Regulation). There are two UAS-specific regulations made under the Basic Regulation namely: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the procedures and rules for the operation of unmanned aircraft and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on unmanned aircraft and on third country operators of unmanned aircraft systems.

Regulation (EU) 2019/947 sets operational rules that apply to both professional drone operators and those flying drones for leisure.

Regulation (EU) 2019/945 sets the common EU-wide technical requirements for drones, the features and capabilities that drones must have in order to be flown safely and, at the same time, help foster investment and innovation in this sector, through a harmonised framework across the European Union.

These EU drone regulations are operation centric and focus on the risk of operations, i.e. the requirements for low risk operations are less onerous than for higher risk operations. Under the EU regulatory regime, drones are categorised under three broad types – Open, Specific and Certified - with different regulatory considerations applied across each type.

Commercial drone delivery operations are closely regulated and fall into the medium risk “specific” category, which requires specific authorisation by the IAA. 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, coordination with Air Traffic Control and the fitting the drone with a parachute and flight termination system.

There is also a European regulatory framework (Regulations (EU) 2021/664, 2021/665, and 2021/666) that allows for the safe development of the drone services market, including drone delivery, and the integration of drones into our airspace. The U-space Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/664) emerged to support commercial operations with drones, especially those entailing greater complexity and automation, to provide for the safe integration of a number of drone flights in a volume of airspace. Essentially, U-space is an area of airspace where drone operations may only occur with the support of U-space services. At a minimum these must include network identification, traffic management, flight authorisation and geo-awareness. U-space full services are not envisaged until 2030.

In addition to complying with EU drone regulations, drone operators must also comply with national laws, including environmental, planning and privacy laws.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to finalising and implementing a policy framework to 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 addressing environmental and other concerns. The policy framework will recognise the importance of ongoing collaboration and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and is informed by work across government and public and industry consultation. It is envisaged that the policy framework will be published in the coming months.