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LAST UPDATE | 20 Aug
FIXED CHARGE OFFENCES for infringement of new drone regulations are to be rolled out through the Department of Transport.
The long-awaited national policy framework to deal with the regulation of drone use in Ireland is due to be published today.
The plan, which was initially promised in 2023, sets out that these additional penalties will add to the extensive enforcement provisions in aviation, civil and criminal law already on the statute book.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), An Garda Síochána and the Data Protection Commission will work together to establish an “operative inter-agency” which will help coordinate investigations of offences related to drones.
Training material and training support will be provided to the gardaí by the IAA, enabling them to enforce any new drone offences legislation.
In addition, the framework sets out that a new National Working Group on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), known as drones, will be established to develop “transparent processes and procedures” for the designation of new drone “geographical zones”.
The department said these zones will be set out so as to ensure the safe management and the integration of drone use into our airspace and will help manage any impact on society and the environment.
For a drone geographical zone to be mapped out, the relevant State agencies, government departments and local government will have to submit a request through the IAA.
The government’s new plan is understood to focus on spatial planning for drone use in urban and rural areas, including the possible establishment of a bespoke, traffic management system in areas where multiple drone operations are happening, such as Dublin.
Due to the volume of commercial drone operations in Dublin, it is believed a traffic management system needs to be put in place, the plan states.
Before this traffic management system known as ‘U-Space’ is set up, a steering group will be formed to develop a national plan for the implementation of such a traffic system.
This group will be tasked with coming up with procedures to ensure safe and efficient access to airspace for a high volume of drones.
The Irish Aviation Authority will now collate relevant drone operational data in order to build trend analyses and provide an evidence based policy that will be developed over time.
The new policy seeks to balance government policy of developing a strong commercial drone sector in the country, alongside community concerns around privacy and noise.
Due to the rapid pace of commercial drones, the new plan sets out that high-level strategic planning for the drone sector and geographical drone zones are needed, particularly due to the rise of drone delivery services in the Dublin area.
Opposition TDs have called for regulation of the sector, with the Dáil recently being told of the “dystopian future” that lies in store without it.
Sinn Féin has called for a moratorium on the delivery of commercial drones “until adequate regulation is implemented”, while Labour TD Marie Sherlock described it as a “wild west situation” in communities where commercial drones are operating overhead with with no regard to privacy, security, and noise.
The increasing volume of drone deliveries has faced pushback, with local councillors and residents in the Dublin 15 area raising concerns about the Irish drone start-up, Manna, which does a drone food delivery service in the area.
While the operator of the drone delivery company has accepted that the noise from the non-piloted devices can be loud, he maintained that the sound is not overly loud.
Launching the policy document today, Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said drones present exciting opportunities for business and the public sector to boost
productivity and improve service provision.
“At the same time, I am aware that the rapid pace of expansion of UAS operations has resulted in challenges and generated real concerns and uncertainty among communities,” he said.
He said the new policy plan recognises the importance of collaboration and engagement
of a wide range of stakeholders.
“It was developed through cross-government engagement structures, and it is informed by public and industry consultation. It aims to facilitate consideration of how matters such as planning and environmental issues will be addressed by the appropriate authorities, including in the context of the expansion of commercial drone delivery services,” he added.
However, there has been backlash to the new document since its publication today, with Green Party Leader Roderic O’Gorman TD, who represents the Dublin West constituency where one drone company has caused concern amongst locals in Dublin 15, said:
“Right now, people are being treated as guinea pigs for drone companies. The framework offers industry a green light, but gives communities no say, no protection, and no timeline for when safeguards will arrive. That’s not responsible policymaking, it’s passing the buck.”
He said the framework itself acknowledges that “public buy-in and support for UAS technology is hard won and easily lost”.
However, he said it offers no timelines for when noise standards, data protection oversight, or airspace controls will be meaningfully implemented.
O’Gorman called for the immediate publication of timelines for noise regulation, data protection enforcement, and drone traffic management systems and mandatory public consultation in any area where commercial drone operations are being trialled.
He also said there should be a moratorium on further expansion of commercial drone delivery trials until enforceable safeguards are in place.
Labour Councillor for Dublin West, John Walsh Labour, said unfortunately the government response to the increasing use of drones is not only belated but inadequate.
The national policy framework is strongly focused on promoting commercial opportunities for drones and “pays only lip service to genuine public concerns”, he said in a statement today reacting to the new plan
“The government strategy, which envisages a series of working groups to look at key issues further, has barely left the drawing board and lags woefully behind the aggressive expansion of drone companies,” he said.
Walsh added that the policy plan places a very strong emphasis on the economic and commercial benefits of drones, but there are hardly any specifics in the document on how to address excessive noise from drones.
The Journal reported last month that Department of Transport have been pitching Ireland as a potential “global leader” for commercial drones, touting our “uncluttered airspace” as an area where we have “the edge” for the development of a drone-based services sector.
The new framework, published today, seeks to appease local communities outlining the regulations that are on the way, while also ensuring that Ireland is seen to be behind the implementation of the Drone Strategy 2.0 for Europe.
The plan is understood to outline how it is important that Ireland plans for how the drone sector will develop and taps into the high-tech jobs that will boost the economy.
In addition to fines and new traffic systems, the policy plan also seeks to increase drone business and innovation in Ireland.
For instance, the Department of Enterprise will be establishing a ‘leadership group’ to develop “robust ongoing policy on innovation and commercialisation, and to ensure the existence of pathways for industry (indigenous and FDI) and researchers”.
Included in the steps to foster innovation are plans for ‘test sites’ to be identified where those working in the drone sector, in conjunction with the Irish Aviation Authority, will be allowed carry out “experimental and developing” drone operations.
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