Dublin residents besieged by drone deliveries want revised regulation – Currie

Ramped up plans to increase the number of drone deliveries taking place in Dublin are causing huge concern among residents who want action to ensure regulation factors in the impact of activity above and around their homes, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin West, Emer Currie, said that Government must urgently address the impact of commercial drone delivery services on local communities, to ensure appropriate regulation is in place. Deputy Currie represents constituents in Blanchardstown where major drone delivery company Manna Delivery is based, and a new worldwide partnership with Deliveroo food delivery will be trialled.

Deputy Currie said: “It might be hard for people to understand what it’s like to live below the flightpath of drones passing your home up to 300 times a day, but that’s what is happening in Dublin 15. They are noisy and intrusive as they drop their deliveries. That frequency is set to increase with a new partnership with Deliveroo and this has intensified residents’ concerns.

“Manna drone delivery company says it has already completed 170,000 deliveries, reaching 22% of the population in Dublin 15, and expects to increase delivery flights up to 10,000 per day; predominantly in Ireland, including Dublin and Cork.

“Most people recognise the innovation drones offer, the potential benefits like faster access to medicine and reduced emissions, but innovation cannot be at the expense of the quality of life of local communities. It’s crucial we balance progress with responsibility.

“While the Programme for Government commits to a drone policy framework supporting innovation and ensuring safe operations, it omits the fundamental issue of community impact. I am urging the Government to publish the National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems before the summer recess. There is an urgent need for a community-centred regulatory framework to complement risk-based air and ground rules for drones in aviation.  

“In tandem with this, the Minister for Transport needs to clarify his position on the rollout of U-space regulation, the EU’s drone traffic management system, which can regulate flight paths and schedules and control noise levels, especially over residential areas. The Minister has said U-space full services are not envisaged to happen to 2030. This is too late.

“Government needs to move quickly to ensure that happens.”