Written Answers Nos. 152-172
152. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures Ireland has in place in the event of a drone attack being launched in Irish air space by another State or third party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54061/25]
View answerA whole of Government approach is required in meeting the challenges arising from the various uses UAVs can be put to. In so far as the Defence Forces have a role in the manner, namely through the defence of the State from armed aggression , they continue to contribute to national resilience and whole of Government security objectives including aid to the civil power and aid to the civil authorities, as set out in the Defence Policy Review. The Defence Forces at all times keep operational plans under constant review and there will continue to be ongoing close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters, including through regular coordination and liaison meetings.
A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. As part of work that is currently ongoing to enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces, a project team comprising senior civil and military personnel is continuing to progress the Military Radar Programme. There are three elements to this Programme: Land based Long Range Primary Radar; Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems, which includes Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capability; and Maritime (ship-borne) Radar.
Good progress is being made across all elements, including the C-UAS element. Delivery of the Programme will be complex; but has been prioritised with a target date of 2028 set for full delivery. That being said, elements of this capability will be rolled out in phases, starting in 2026, towards full delivery by the end of 2028.
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.
163. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a licence exchange can be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53976/25]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that all enquiries relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated under national legislation to the Road Safety Authority.
I have referred this matter to the Authority for direct reply.
164. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the contingency plans that are in place to prevent similar incidents in Ireland, in light of recent drone-related hybrid attacks on airports in Denmark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53977/25]
View answer165. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has conducted any risk assessments or simulations to test Ireland’s airport resilience against coordinated drone incursions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53978/25]
View answer166. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if a designated state agency will be tasked with overseeing counter-drone operations nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53979/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 164, 165 and 166 together.
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, inter-agency response procedures are put in place and a risk assessment must be maintained at each of our airports as part of their certification by the Irish Aviation Authority.
Following incidents of careless and reckless drone use that caused disruption at Dublin airport in early 2023, daa put in place a range of additional measures to counter illegal drone activity. This includes a re-examination and updating of its standard operating procedures when drones are detected, an upgrade to its drone detection systems, a review of the safety critical area at the airport and the deployment of counter drone technology. The counter drone technology was deployed following a Government Decision on the matter and when the necessary approvals and licences were secured from the Irish Aviation Authority and ComReg. All relevant bodies at Dublin Airport now cooperate effectively to tackle illegal drone use and the disruption to operations encountered in early 2023 has not been repeated.
These measures, and broader arrangements by airport authorities, air navigation service providers and carriers to ensure the safety of the travelling public, would operate in the context of a broader state-led response in the event of more co-ordinated hybrid action.
Threats and risks to the security of civil aviation are formally assessed on a regular basis by this Department together with relevant state security and defence bodies. The risk posed by drones is included in this assessment and all relevant national and international information is taken into account.
Agencies operating under the remit of my department routinely conduct emergency and business continuity exercises. These exercises serve as a vital tool in emergency management — testing response plans, building confidence among those who may be called upon during a crisis, and assessing the effectiveness of contingency plans. They also foster collaboration among stakeholders likely to be involved in incident response, enabling thorough evaluation of response strategies in realistic yet controlled environments.
Counter drone measures can be undertaken in various different locations, circumstances and operational contexts, and therefore to date no single state agency has been tasked with overseeing counter drone operations nationally.
167. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if Irish Rail will install anti slip grip on the steps leading down to platforms 1, 2 and 3 at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53994/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
168. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the additional buses that would be needed to increase the frequency to every 20 minutes on Mondays to Fridays and to every 30 minutes on the weekends for Dublin Bus route number 6 from Abbey Street towards Howth Station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53995/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the NTA. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Dublin Bus and the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
169. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 108 of 28 May 2025, if he can provide an update as to how the principles and parameters of the new scheme are being progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53997/25]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that work is progressing on the development of the new Vehicle Adaptation Scheme.
While there has been some initial engagement with key stakeholders, over the coming months the Department intends to conduct extensive consultation with stakeholders, including advocacy groups, to finalise the principles and parameters of the new scheme. In addition, a public consultation will be launched to seek the views of the public on the development and administration of the new scheme.
170. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Bus Éireann to address the limited public transport provision serving Cloyne, County Cork; if consideration will be given to extending the Ballinacurra service to loop through Cloyne, particularly given the town’s growing population and new housing developments; if he will further examine how enhanced bus links to Cloyne could facilitate greater use of the expanded Midleton–Cork train services, thereby improving connectivity across east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54003/25]
View answer171. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority to address the limited public transport provision serving towns and rural areas in east Cork, including Cloyne, Ballycotton, Ladysbridge, Garryvoe, Shanagarry and their surrounding hinterlands; if consideration will be given to extending existing services, such as those from Ballinacurra, to loop through these communities; if he will further examine how enhanced bus links across east Cork could integrate with the increased Midleton–Cork train services, thereby providing sustainable transport connections for the growing populations in these towns and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54004/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 171 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
172. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will review options for a limited no fault compensation scheme for public transport passengers injured in accidents where no negligence is found, as highlighted in a court case (details supplied) to ensure medical and rehabilitation costs are not left uncovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54006/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport service provision.
As the Deputy may be aware, the possibility of introducing a no-fault insurance system in Ireland has previously been examined. The Second and Final Report of Personal Injuries Commission (PIC), published in 2018 by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (D/ETE), considered this issue and concluded that it would be difficult to envisage a no-fault system such as exists in New Zealand being applied in Ireland in view of our current legal and constitutional framework. The PIC also noted that introducing a no-fault system model would have fundamental cost implications in terms of raising revenue in the form of direct and indirect taxation.
Accordingly, I have been informed by the Department of Justice that they have no immediate plans to amend civil liability legislation in the manner suggested by the Deputy. The Deputy may wish to contact the D/ETE if they have any follow-up questions regarding the Report.
