102. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport which actions under the National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems his Department will lead on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48563/25]
Sentiment score: 0.01
I have raised the issue of the lack of regulation for commercial delivery drones in the House on a number of occasions. Over the summer, the Minister published the National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Which of the 16 actions set out within that document fall directly within the remit of the Department of Transport? What is the Minister's action plan regarding the implementation of those actions?
Sentiment score: -0.06
The Minister notes that this is the first framework of its type in Europe. I hope the rest of Europe is not going to be taking this document as inspiration because it is deeply disappointing. It fails to deal with the issues I and others have been raising throughout this time. People in my community in Dublin 15 are asking that four fundamental issues be addressed. These are privacy, noise, planning status and safety. There is no clarity in this document as to when these issues are going to be addressed. We are seeing a fundamental societal change in my neighbourhood right now. Thousands of journeys that take place on our roads have moved into the sky. It is not that they are going to move; they are in the sky right now. They are in the sky tonight. The regulatory structure that may well make that okay is not in place. The document the Minister has produced does not give us any clarity on when that regulatory structure will be in place. That is not acceptable.
Sentiment score: 0.09
I know of no other innovative cutting-edge technology sector where that technology is just let loose without any regulatory structures being put in place. This is new and innovative. Maybe it is a good thing but it has been allowed to happen without regulation. There is no regulation or clarity on whether planning permission is required for a drone base. There is no way to deal with noise complaints. When representatives of Dublin City Council came before a committee, they were very clear. Section 108 of the EPA Act stops the council from dealing with noise pollution. Can I draw the attention of the Minister to actions 15 and 16, which state that the UAS sector, in conjunction with the Irish Aviation Authority, will establish and promote relevant test sites and the Irish Aviation Authority will promote processes that allow for the allocation of airspace for experimental and developing UAS operations? There is an experiment taking place in Dublin 15 without any regulatory structures. That is not acceptable and I will work to put in place the regulatory structures the Department is not delivering.
Sentiment score: 0.09
It is too late. It is already-----
Sentiment score: 0.00
It does not deal with noise.
Sentiment score: 0.00
107. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the programme for Government commitment to create a transport security force under the National Transport Authority, which would operate and have similar powers to the airport police and customs officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51713/25]
Sentiment score: 0.25
Everyone in the House agrees it is important for commuters and people using public transport to feel safe. That is why I welcome the commitment in the programme for Government to the creation of a transport security force under the NTA. I am also aware this will require a legislative basis and funding. Could the Minister give us some indication of when this will be rolled out? When will we see the first officers of the force on our buses and trains?
Sentiment score: 0.30
I am a strong advocate and daily user of our public transport system, but the perception and reality on public transport is that people are feeling unsafe. The NTA's security survey shows 40% of people feeling unsafe on public transport. The "Prime Time" programme on RTÉ earlier this year revealed that reported incidents of antisocial behaviour on Dublin Bus specifically rose from 494 in 2019 to just over 1,000 last year. There are real issues there, and this is making public transport less attractive, and especially less attractive for some of the most vulnerable people. From talking to people in my constituency, especially people from the Indian and south Asian minority communities who have experienced an upsurge in racism, I know many have reported that this has happened when they have been trapped on public transport and cannot get away from the aggressor. This is why these measures are going to be so important. If legislation is passed by the end of 2026, would the Minister see this transport police force operating early in 2027?
Sentiment score: 0.12
Will the existing private security go completely when the new transport police force comes in or is there a plan to run it concurrently? I am aware that the creation of something new like this requires legislation and a dedicated budgetary line. Nevertheless, the Minister took office in January 2025, and he is now talking about this service being operational in early 2027. That is a fair time but I do not think much beyond that would be. This is a doable proposition and something the Minister has been advocating for. It is important that timeline is stuck to closely. Due to the greater investment in public transport up to this point, at least, we have seen a very large increase in the number of people using our public transport network. If people feel unsafe, they will not continue to move in those numbers. The figures we both quoted here are concerning. They need to be addressed and I see this transport police force as a key element in doing so.
Sentiment score: 0.19