Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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381. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport about the regulation of drones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23489/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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382. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport about the regulation of commercial drones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23490/25]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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383. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 312 and 290 of 25 February 2025, to report on the stakeholder consultation regarding the national policy framework for drones; when he anticipate this policy framework will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23491/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 381, 382 and 383 together.

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 EU drone regulations are implemented and overseen by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) under its remit as the national civil aviation regulator.

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 operations may fall into any one of the categories depending on the risk associated with the operation. Low risk commercial drone operations, such as aerial photography, may fall in the “open category” where regulation and oversight of operations are lighter.

Other commercial drone operations, such as drone delivery operations, are more closely regulated. These type of commercial drone operations may fall into the medium risk “specific” category, which may require specific authorisation by the IAA. To obtain such 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 EU-level compliance, drone operators must adhere to national legislation, including environmental, planning, and data protection 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 process of developing a national policy framework for drones involved comprehensive stakeholder engagement. An interdepartmental steering group and three working groups were established comprising primary stakeholders from relevant government departments and agencies. Informed by the work of the three working groups, a targeted stakeholder consultation was held in 2022. 13 written submissions were received as a follow up to the online event.

A public consultation was held at the beginning of 2024 in order to get a wider and more diverse perspective to inform the development of the policy framework and to ensure it provides a balanced and holistic approach. Feedback was sought on several key areas, including how to respond to public concerns about the increase in use of drones, how to position Ireland as a potential front runner in this emerging sector, and how to future proof responsible development of the drone industry. In response to the consultation 50 submissions were received from a variety of sources, including private citizens, UAS service providers, local authorities, and representative bodies.

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.