Reaction to Publication of National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)

Since the Dail has reformed in January of this year, I have regularly raised the issue of drones in Leinster House, with individual ministers, and in the media. Throughout this time, I have focused on the need for regulation to deal with issues like noise, planning, safety and privacy. I had urged the Government to urgently publish its Framework Policy for Drones to clearly set out how it will regulate these issues.

The Framework has been published today and it is … disappointing to put in mildly. It reads more like a glossy roadmap for industry growth and it fails to address the pressing concerns that residents have raised with me.

While the document lists the concerns that residents express about noise, it makes no clear proposals for how noise from these machines should be regulated, nor any timeframe within which these regulations could be in place. 

The Framework also references that urban and regional planning should take account of drones, but goes onto say “This should allow for planning for availing of the opportunities that UAS technology and Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) can bring to local communities and for how to take local concerns on board”. Again, the emphasis is extremely ‘pro-drone’.

I’m also concerned about Action 16, which states “The Irish Aviation Authority will promote processes that allow for the allocation of airspace for experimental and developing UAS operations to be established”. This is complete cart-before-the-horse stuff.

The Government should be insisting the regulations are put in place to protect residents in areas where drones are operating, not promoting experimental use of them before the protections are in place.

It is clear to me that the Government are not genuinely listening to the concerns that residents have been raising. I have always said that drones do offer benefits, but they must be used in a regulated environment.

The Government have absolutely failed in bringing forward this flawed Framework Policy – it simply isn’t fit for purpose.

As the Dail resumes in September, I will be looking at ways that I as a legislator can fill some of the regulation gaps that exist, and offer some meaningful protections to residents impacted by drones.