Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2025
153. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of drone detections recorded since the installation of anti-drone technology at Dublin Airport in July 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53952/25]
View answer154. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of occasions on which Dublin Airport has had to suspend operations due to drone sightings since the system became operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53953/25]
View answer155. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if anti-drone technology been installed at other Irish airports such as Cork, Shannon, Knock or Belfast; if so, to provide details of the locations and operational status; if not, the timeline for the roll-out of anti-drone systems at other airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53954/25]
View answer156. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of individuals that have been prosecuted for flying drones within restricted zones around Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock airports since 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53955/25]
View answer157. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if further legislative changes are being considered to strengthen enforcement around drone activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53956/25]
View answer158. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if anyone has been prosecuted for breaching laws of flying drones near Dublin, Shannon and Knock airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53957/25]
View answer159. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the specific measures the IAA is taking to prevent drone incursions at airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53958/25]
View answer160. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if the IAA is involved in real-time monitoring or enforcement regarding drone activity; the way in which it is coordinating with An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53959/25]
View answer161. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the annual running cost of the anti-drone system currently in place at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53960/25]
View answer162. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff employed or trained to operate the anti-drone system currently in place at Dublin Airport; whether these roles are managed by the DAA or another agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53961/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161 and 162 together.
There is both a drone detection system and counter-UAS technology deployed at Dublin Airport. The operation of these systems and the maintenance of broader effective procedures to deal with illegal drone use at the airport are operational matters for daa. As such, my Department does not have detailed information on the relevant operational systems, including on staffing, training or operational costs.
My Department does not systematically collect information on the disruption or suspension of operations at Dublin Airport. The Deputy will be aware, however, that the level disruption that was widely reported in 2023 has not been repeated. She will also be aware from previous responses that there are obligations under European aviation safety legislation for the reporting of safety-related events such as drone incursions at airports. Under Regulation (EU) 376/2014 on the reporting, analysis and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation, aviation professionals including aerodrome operators are obligated to report safety related occurrences to the national competent authority, which in Ireland is the Irish Aviation Authority.
All airports in the State with commercial traffic are required to have procedures in place to deal with the safety risk posed by illegal drone activity. The procedures are developed in accordance with guidance on managing drone safety risk issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Safety critical areas are defined, and a risk assessment must be maintained at each of our airports as part of their certification by the Irish Aviation Authority. The maintenance of an active risk assessment and appropriate operating procedures are currently considered sufficient to deal with any potential drone risks at other airports in the State. This will be kept under review, informed by all relevant information.
The Irish Aviation Authority Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 24 of 2023) which came into force in February 2023 restates the investigative and enforcement powers of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and provides for arrangements between An Garda Síochána (AGS) and the IAA in relation to the enforcement of UAS regulations. The enforcement role of the Irish Aviation Authority activates when an occurrence is reported. This relates to illegal drone use generally, rather than illegal use in the environs of an airport specifically. The IAA's role is primarily one of investigation and enforcement post hoc rather than operational or enforcement action while an incident is occurring.
The number of individuals prosecuted for breaching laws of flying drones near airports, or within restricted UAS geographic zones within Ireland is a matter for the IAA and An Garda Síochána.
Broader plans to further develop compliance and enforcement arrangements are set out in the National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems that I published in August. This includes plans for fixed charge provisions for more minor offences and greater co-ordination between IAA, An Garda Síochána and the Data Protection Commissioner on investigation of offences.
