'We make mistakes every day': Jim Gavin on use of drone at airport to film presidential campaign video

A spokesperson for Mr Gavin, who is the chief operating officer of the Irish Aviation Authority, confirmed the campaign had sought permission for drone use on all occasions bar two

Jim Gavin: 'It’s not a blame game, aviation is about learning and that’s the reason we can all fly so safely. As humans, we make mistakes every day.' Photo: Leah Farrell/©Rollingnnews.ie

Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin has said it was a mistake for a drone operator not to seek permission to fly a drone to capture footage for a presidential campaign video. It was flown last weekend at Porterstown Park in Dublin.

Mr Gavin insisted he did not see the drone while running alongside public expenditure minister Jack Chambers, and it was only brought to his attention on Tuesday.

He said had he seen the drone, he would have asked the operator whether or not they sought permission.

“So I’ve simply asked the drone operator to file an occurrence report. It’s not a blame game, aviation is about learning and that’s the reason we can all fly so safely. As humans, we make mistakes every day,” he said.

“Mistakes are made, we simply learn from them. Managing football teams, managing teams myself every day. I’ll make mistakes in this campaign, that’s life, I’m human.” 

A spokesperson for Mr Gavin confirmed the campaign had sought permission for drone use on all occasions bar two, one of which was at Porterstown Park.

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The second incidence was at Mr Gavin’s campaign launch in Dublin last Sunday, which took place at the Exo Building.

The spokesperson added they had submitted safety occurrence reports to the Irish Aviation Authority for both instances on Tuesday.

Mr Gavin, who is the chief operating officer of the Irish Aviation Authority, has previously spoken on the proper use of drones.