Labour’s Councillor John Walsh for Dublin West in Ireland has called for immediate government action to regulate drone deliveries after the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) granted a three-year licence to Manna to operate a delivery service in Dublin 15. A petition, Our Skies, Our Say has reached 1200 signatures from the local community.
Manna has made itself available for community interaction events and local industry insiders suggest that the 1200 signatures are outnumbered by the number of residents who welcome drone delivery services.
Walsh says the IAA “has made clear that it has no role in addressing nuisance to residents, excessive noise or frequency of drone flights” which he says “leaves a major legal loophole”.
“National regulation has dramatically lagged behind new technology here,” Walsh continued. “There are no national rules for drones or the drone delivery service even as attempts are being made to expand drone deliveries across Dublin. Government must listen to local communities in Dublin 15 and introduce consistent, transparent regulation of drone technology and protect our communities.”
Ireland in fact follows very robust drone legislation set out by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and was the first country to introduce drone regulations. However, the IAA can only regulate the airspace and it is the responsibility of local councils to prepare for drone delivery services with the appropriate planning legislation. As the technology and demand is already present, there is a need for an interim plan until a complete uncrewed traffic management system can be brought on line, as has been the case in other countries.
Walsh’s comments come as the IAA launches a public consultation to help shape its Statement of Strategy for 2026–2028. IAA invites feedback from individuals, organisations and stakeholders across Ireland’s aviation and aerospace sectors.
While the focus of the consultation document is on traditional civil aviation and IAA processes, some attention is given to new airspace entrants, notably proposed actions for supporting research and development efforts and regulatory sandbox projects in areas including innovative air mobility.
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Image: Manna
