Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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255. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to finalise and publish the national drone policy framework, as committed to in the programme for Government, to ensure safe, secure and environmentally responsible drone operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37262/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to finalise and publish a policy framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Work on the drafting of the Policy Framework has recently been finalised and I expect to approve and publish it this summer.

The Policy framework will set out the vision, strategy, and priorities for the development of the UAS sector in Ireland. The framework aims to guide high-level strategic planning and development of the UAS sector in Ireland over the next decade by supporting growth and innovation. The framework also seeks to ensure safe and secure operations which are planned to minimise environmental and privacy impacts.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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256. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the forthcoming drone legislation will include a right for residents to opt out of drone overflights or hovering near their private properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37263/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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257. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider introducing temporary drone restriction zones in residential areas such as (details supplied) pending the finalisation of the national drone policy framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37264/25]

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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271. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on regulatory framework governing drones used for commercial deliveries; the options that exist for residents to opt out of flight zones; and for an update on any other related information on committee discussions or ministerial action on this issue. [37450/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 256, 257 and 271 together.

In 2018, competency for the regulation of civil unmanned aircraft systems operations passed to the European Union (EU). The EU regulatory framework for civil unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), 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 UAS regulations are implemented and overseen by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) under its remit as the national civil aviation regulator.

The aim of the EU UAS regulations is to achieve the same level of safety for drone operations as in manned aviation.

Regulation (EU) 2019/947 details the process to allow UAS to operate within the European Union. The oversight and regulation of UAS operations is risk-based. This means that the more complex the operation, the more restrictions and safety mitigations are required, to ensure the safety of the public.

UAS delivery operations fall into a medium risk, ‘specific’ category, which requires an explicit authorisation from the IAA. This type of authorisation is recognised in all European Union 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 UAS with a parachute and flight termination system.In certain areas, such as those with an expected large number of simultaneous operations of UAS or areas where UAS operate alongside manned aircraft, the safe, secure and efficient integration of UAS in the airspace necessitates the introduction of additional specific rules and procedures for their operations.

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 and dealing with environmental concerns.

The IAA has established UAS geographical zones to address safety and security risks, imposing specific conditions for certain or all UAS operations or allowing access only to UAS equipped with certain technical features. To establish UAS geographical zones in respect of privacy and environmental concerns, the IAA requires the input from relevant agencies, local authorities and government departments. The Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems developed by my Department proposes the setting up of a national working group to develop transparent processes and procedures for the designation of UAS Geographical Zones.

While there is a comprehensive regulatory framework in place from an aviation perspective, and there are no immediate plans to introduce additional legislation in this area, there are areas where the rapid pace of expansion of drone operations has resulted in gaps and uncertainty. The Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems will be seeking to identify and address any policy, regulatory or legislative gaps. The Policy Framework proposes a number of structures and actions that address concerns in relation to increase drone usage and operations. It will facilitate the addressing of the matters such as planning and environmental issues by the appropriate authorities.

Work on the drafting of the Policy Framework was recently finalised and I expect to approve and publish it this summer.