Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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405. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to pause BVLOS operation licences in Cork and Dublin pending the publication of the draft code from the working group on UAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39916/26]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The pan-European drone regulatory framework provides for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. BVLOS operations are operated outside the pilot’s direct line of sight and can include mapping, infrastructure inspections and logistics and delivery operations. The EU drone regulations are directly applicable in Ireland. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), the civil aviation regulator, oversees the implementation and enforcement of the EU drone regulations and standards.

BVLOS operations fall under the Specific Category and require operational authorisation from the IAA. 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. It would not be appropriate for me or my department to be involved in the granting or suspending/revoking of such authorisations, nor do I have the power to do so, as that function is designated in statute to the IAA.

The National Working Group on UAS Geographical Zones to be established by the IAA under the National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems is tasked with developing transparent process and procedures for the designation of UAS geographical zones (UGZ). UGZ have been established to address safety and security risks. To establish UAS geographical zones in respect of privacy and environmental protection, the IAA requires the input from relevant agencies, local authorities and government departments.

The National UAS Policy Framework Implementation Plan 2026 states that the Working Group on Geographical Zones will be established by the IAA in the current quarter of 2026 and work is underway by the IAA to review the designation of current UAS Geographical Zones ahead of the establishment of the Working Group. An initial priority of the Working Group is to develop, by the end of 2026, effective and transparent processes and procedures for the designation of UGZs for environmental and privacy reasons.