The government’s long-awaited drone regulation, which was eagerly anticipated in Dublin 15, has been criticised by local politicians.
This week, the government published its policy framework about how drones are allowed to operate in commercial contexts, but Dublin 15 politicians have found it lacking.
The planned legislation would establish a working group which would develop processes and procedures surrounding the integration of drones into Irish airspace, as well as taking environmental and social impact into account.
Under the legislation, the Department of Transport would have the power to introduce fixed charge offences for the infringements related to aviation, civil and criminal law, which looks to dampen fears surrounding privacy.
Gardaí, the Irish Aviation Authority and the Data Protection Commission will also work together to ensure that the legislation is being properly enforced.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said, “drones present exciting opportunities for business and the public sector to boost productivity and improve service provision.”
“In my own department, for example, the Irish Coast Guard use drones to support search and rescue operations. They can also create high-tech jobs and boost the economy across Ireland. 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.”
O’Brien said that the framework “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.”
The second step in fulfilling the commitment in Programme for Government is the implementation of the policy framework.
“Drone technology continues to evolve and innovate, presenting significant opportunities in both commercial and public domains,” noting that the technology is already used in a wide array of settings such as agriculture, mapping, architecture, construction, real estate, energy, environment, meteorological applications and public safety.
The Minister said that he hopes that the legislation will be up to par with similar drone-related legislation across Europe.
Local Green TD Roderic O’Gorman remarked, “the framework is disappointing, to put it 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,” the Castleknock TD said.
“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.”
O’Gorman noted that the framework makes mention of how urban and regional planning should take drones into account, but the same framework goes on to contradict itself by saying “this should allow for planning for availing of the opportunities that drone technology can bring to local communities and for how to take local concerns on board”.
The Green leader cited concerns about Action 16 of the framework, which makes reference to how the Irish Aviation Authority will promote processes which “allows the allocation of airspace for experimental and developing drone operations to be established.”
O’Gorman remarked, “this is complete cart-before-the-horse stuff.”
“The government should be insisting that 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,” he said.
The Dublin West TD said, “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.”
He commented that the framework policy is “flawed” and “it simply isn’t fit for purpose.”
With the Dáil returning next month, O’Gorman said he would be raising the issue.
“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.”
Labour councillor John Walsh, who launched a petition calling for drones to be regulated in the Dublin 15 area, also expressed concerns about how the framework falls short.
Walsh, who also represents the Castleknock area, said “the government has been stalling on this framework for three years since 2022 and in the meantime a drone delivery company has been allowed to run an unrestricted fast food delivery service without any community consultation or input in Dublin 15.”
The Labour councillor said the public consultation was “ludicrous,” noting that there were only 50 responses.
By contrast, a petition launched by Walsh, calling for drones to be better regulated in the Dublin 15 area, has received over 1300 signatures
“Every stakeholder seems to have had their say, other than members of the public who will be directly impacted by commercial drone flights,” he commented.
“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.”
Walsh expressed concern that the framework placed more emphasis on the economic and commercial benefits of drone technology, but noted there are little specifics in terms of how noise from drones will be addressed, along with little reference being made to how often the drones can operate, nor is there consideration giving to the environmental impact of the drone on local wildlife.
“Genuine community concerns about noise, intrusion on privacy and environmental impact should be at the forefront of the debate. No further expansion of drone delivery services should be permitted before a safe, sustainable drone traffic management system is fully established and independent research is conducted to assess the impact of drones in terms of noise, privacy and the environment,” he said.
“Meaningful action to prevent noise pollution, address concerns about privacy and monitor environmental impacts should come before the development of a drone services sector, rather than engaging in mitigation after drone delivery services have already been introduced. A genuine commitment to democratic and community consultation is needed and local communities should be able to secure dedicated no fly zones within any proposed drone geographical zones.”
Dublin 15 isn’t alone in facing opposition to drones; on Dublin’s Southside, a similar row is brewing in Dundrum.
Manna, the main delivery drone service familiar to Dublin 15 residents, is looking to expand to Dundrum.
Similar to Dublin 15, there has been strong local opposition to the technology being allowed to operate in the area, and concerns that Ireland’s laws surrounding drones simply aren’t up to par.
Southside Fine Gael TD Maeve O’Connell, who has worked with Dublin West colleague Emer Currie on raising concerns about drone technology, said that the government’s framework is a “let-down.”
“For months, my colleagues and I have been calling for certainty and proper guidelines for the usage of commercial drones above our homes and communities.”
“I was disappointed to see that the framework commits to the creation of a working group on drone geographical zones. We have been calling for guidelines that provide certainty and reassurance to communities across Dublin, not the announcement of a working group that continues to leave the issue in limbo for another few months.”
“The Minister for Transport says that he recognises the importance of collaboration and engagement of a wide range of stakeholders. This is precisely why I am calling on the Minister to ensure that this working group will now facilitate a full public consultation, so that every Dubliner can have their say before more drones begin flying over their homes,” she said.
O’Connell noted, “while I acknowledge the potential drones have to boost business and services, this framework has completely the wrong tone. It does not take into equal account the concerns that local residents, along with my colleagues and I, have been raising with the Department and in the Dáil over numerous months.”
“Dublin’s ‘uncluttered airspace’ should be something we want to preserve, not exploit,” the Dublin Rathdown TD said.