No Rules, Just Noise – Greens Slam Government’s Drone Framework That Leaves Public Exposed

The Green Party has today sharply criticised the Government’s National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), describing it as a glossy roadmap for industry growth that fails to address the pressing concerns of the Irish public.

Despite the rapid rollout of commercial drone delivery trials in Dublin and across Ireland, the Framework does not set out concrete timelines for the introduction of essential regulations, enforcement mechanisms, or noise and privacy safeguards. Instead, it defers key decisions to working groups and steering committees that could take years to deliver results.

Speaking today, Green Party Leader Roderic O’Gorman TD who represents the Dublin West constituency where one drone company has caused consternation amongst locals in Dublin 15, said:

“Right now, people are being treated as guinea pigs for drone companies. The Framework offers industry a green light but gives communities no say, no protection, and no timeline for when safeguards will arrive. That’s not responsible policymaking, it’s passing the buck.”

The Framework itself acknowledges that “public buy-in and support for UAS technology is hard won and easily lost”. Yet it offers no timelines for when noise standards, data protection oversight, or airspace controls will be meaningfully implemented.

Cllr. Feljin José, Green Party spokesperson on Transport added:

“Drone companies are using our neighbourhoods as testbeds for Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations without public consent. While the Framework talks about U-space and air traffic management systems, it admits full deployment is years away. In the meantime, residents are left exposed to the consequences of a technology that doesn’t have their support.”

The Greens warned that the Framework ignores the very people most affected, ordinary residents living under drone flight paths.

Cllr. Robert Jones, Green Party spokesperson on Enterprise, said:

“People are anxious about drones flying over their homes: the noise, the privacy risks, the safety worries, and yet their voices are being ignored. This Framework makes no provision to deal with the key concern of the public, the impact of noise and the related reduction in residential amenity. The document defers to future guidelines to be developed by the EU at some point in the future. The Government has handed the skies to tech companies and told the public to just put up with it. That’s not policymaking, it’s turning its back on the people it’s meant to serve.”

The Green Party is calling for:

• Immediate publication of timelines for noise regulation, data protection enforcement, and drone traffic management systems.
• Clarification of planning requirements for drone infrastructure, including depots, landing sites, and flight paths, to ensure local communities are not bypassed.
• Mandatory public consultation in any area where commercial drone operations are being trialled.
• A moratorium on further expansion of commercial drone delivery trials until enforceable safeguards are in place.

“Communities deserve clarity and protection, not another government document kicking the can down the road,” concluded Deputy O’Gorman.