Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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383. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is considering introducing national drone regulations in addition to the EU regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30713/25]

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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384. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is considering introducing drone-free designations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30714/25]

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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385. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is considering introducing no-fly zones for drone usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30715/25]

Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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386. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is considering introducing night flight restrictions for drone usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30716/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 383, 384, 385 and 386 together.

In 2018, competency for the regulation of civil drone operations passed to the European Union (EU). The EU regulatory framework for civil drones, established through 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, is 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.

Regulation (EU) 2019/947 provides for the establishment of “UAS geographical zones”. UAS geographical zones are portions of airspace where drone operations are facilitated, restricted, or excluded. Under the EU regulation the IAA can establish UAS Geographical Zones for the purpose of -

• minimising safety risks
• protecting privacy
• addressing security issues
• dealing with environmental concerns