John Lahart
Question:302. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport what rules govern the use of drones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17409/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (302)
Written answers
The primary regulations that govern the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) were made under the Regulation EU 2018/1139 on common rules in the field of civil aviation (known as the Basic Regulation). There are two UAS-specific regulations made under the Basic Regulation namely: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on the procedures and rules for the operation of unmanned aircraft and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on unmanned aircraft and on third country operators of unmanned aircraft systems.
Regulation (EU) 2019/947 sets operational rules that apply to both professional drone operators and those flying drones for leisure.
Regulation (EU) 2019/945 sets the common EU-wide technical requirements for drones, the features and capabilities that drones must have in order to be flown safely and, at the same time, help foster investment and innovation in this sector, through a harmonised framework across the European Union.
These EU UAS regulations are operation centric and focus on the risk of UAS operations, i.e. the requirements for low risk operations are less onerous than for higher risk operations. Under the EU regulatory regime, drones are categorised under three broad types – Open, Specific and Certified, with different regulatory considerations applied across each UAS type.
At a national level, S.I. No. 24 of 2023 (Irish Aviation Authority (Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)) Order 2023) came into force on 2 February 2023. It replaces S.I. No. 563 of 2015 (Irish Aviation Authority (Small Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) and Rockets) Order 2015). It restates the investigative and enforcement powers of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), the competent authority responsible for the safety oversight of UAS activities and operations in the State. It also provides for arrangements between an Garda Síochána and the IAA in relation to enforcement of UAS regulations.
Question No. 303 answered with Question No. 301.