Taoiseach aware of people's 'genuine concerns' over drone deliveries in Cork

Micheál Martin says there needs to be increased regulation around drone technology following complaints from Cork residents over privacy and noise pollution

A public meeting to discuss drone operations in Cork City will be held at 8pm on Tuesday evening in Cork Constitution FC. File picture: Larry Cummins

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has admitted there needs to be greater regulation around the use of drone technology, following the introduction of drone deliveries in Cork City.

In Listowel on Monday, Mr Martin was asked by the Irish Examiner about a controversy in his local area of Ballintemple and Ballinlough, where drone delivery firm Manna is piloting a new home delivery service.

Many residents are unhappy at the arrival of drones in the skies above their homes, citing privacy and noise pollution concerns.

Mr Martin acknowledged there were concerns about drone deliveries in suburban areas, and these concerns had first manifested in Dublin.

“It’s an emerging phenomenon and I think at a wider Government level we will reflect on that, we will look at the broader regulatory framework that governs that, and there seems to be a gap between the Aviation Authority’s role and that of local authority planning functions, which I think there’s a bit more work to be done on that,” the Taoiseach said.

“We’re very conscious of the concerns that people have, they’re genuine concerns, and I think that we do need to bottom them out.” 

Asked whether there was a conflict between the State, through Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Strategic Investment Fund, investing in Manna, while it is also supposed to regulate the company, Mr Martin said the State invested in many companies.

“Enterprise Ireland is about start-ups, and on the other side of that equation, you’re talking about start-up new technologies, emerging technologies, which create jobs as well.

“The issue here is balance, and the issue here is trying to protect the rights of people in situations like privacy, and in my view there’s a need to bring the planning frameworks to the aviation regulatory frameworks and bring them together.” 

Last week, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) dropped controversial temporary measures introduced to facilitate Manna. Under those rules, other drone operators flying within visual line of sight had to provide two days’ notice before flying over much of the city.

Those measures are to be removed, meaning local drone pilots “will revert to the co-ordination requirements that existed prior” to the restrictions, but flights beyond the visual line of sight will still be subject to full advance authorisation.

A recent consultation process saw the IAA received 662 submissions on drone usage in the city, the majority of which related to privacy and noise concerns.

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IAA dismissed those submissions as irrelevant, saying its principal decision would be to differentiate between types of drones and their usage.

It said it “will establish a long-term drone safety zone over Cork City, ensuring the safe integration of drone operations”.

A public meeting to discuss drone operations in Cork City will be held at 8pm on Tuesday evening in Cork Constitution FC.