Latest news with #GayleRalph
BreakingNews.ie
16 hours ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Councillors express concern about lack of regulations around drone delivery in Dublin
Members of Dublin City Council have expressed concern that no regulations are in place to deal with the expected expansion of commercial delivery services using drones in the capital over the coming months. Several councillors claim there is a need for the local authority to take some measures to address the issue while legislation at a national level to govern the use of commercial drone flights is under consideration. Advertisement The issue has intensified following last week's announcement that food delivery company, Deliveroo, has partnered with Irish drone operator, Manna, to provide a pilot delivery service in the Blanchardstown area. Dublin City Council confirmed that it has not received any planning application relating to a drone delivery service in its administrative area to date. However, Manna has also signalled that it intends to expand its operations to 10 hubs in Ireland before the end of the year as part of contracts to provide one million delivery flights for food delivery firms. One of the locations is planned to be Glasnevin where the company currently employs 120 staff at its headquarters, although it is unclear if Manna is required to apply for planning permission to operate drones from its site. Advertisement Dublin City Council's mobility and public realm committee discussed a motion at a recent meeting from Fine Gael councillor, Gayle Ralph, who called on the council to adopt a proactive approach for approving commercial drone operations. Cllr Ralph also recommended that all planning applications for drone delivery services should be refused until a working group established by the council had published a report on the issue and a public consultation had been conducted on the council's Drone and Urban Air Mobility Strategy 2024-2029 which was published last year. The document acknowledges that the timeframe for local authorities to extend their competencies for dealing with an expansion of drone delivery service is 'relatively short". 'There needs to be widespread engagement to define the rules for flying and how areas of concerns in relation to safety, security, environmental impacts and privacy can be addressed,' it noted. Advertisement Cllr Ralph has also urged Dublin City Council to require any commercial operator seeking to establish a drone delivery service around the city to submit a comprehensive noise impact assessment 'to ensure a thorough evaluation of potential noise impacts during both day and night". Council officials said the working group was examining various issues regarding the use of drones which was not limited to commercial delivery operations. A council executive manager, Dermot Collins, accepted that the local authority is facing challenges from 'the proliferation of drones' around the city as commercial operators expand their services. 'There is no huge clear guidance in terms of planning around that,' said Mr Collins. Advertisement Mr Collins said he believed the noise created by drones would be a key issue. Green Party councillor, Feljin Jose, expressed concern that it appeared that a commercial premises with a car park can be used as a drone base as it does not represent a material change of use in terms of planning. 'For me that's incredibly worrying, like there's no limitations on when it can be used,' said Mr Jose. He said the situation might require legislation to be developed by either the Department of Housing or the Department of Transport. Advertisement While there was an urgency for primary legislation which can take time to implement , Mr Jose said he believed the council should consider other measures itself in the interim. Social Democrats councillor, Paddy Monahan, said there was also concern about the privacy aspects of the use of drones. The chair of the committee, Janet Horner said the regulation of commercial drone operations was a 'grey area' in terms of planning. The Green Party councillor, who represents the north inner city area, said the number of people affected within the area covered by Dublin City Council would be much greater than the suburban areas where drones already operate. Ms Horner said the significantly increased density of housing in inner city areas meant there would be a tenfold increase at least in the number of people affected by a drone passing overhead every half-hour than in the suburban areas where they already operate. 'I think it is unrealistic and unfair to expect people to put up with that within their homes,' she added. Ms Horner acknowledged that people living in Glasnevin are anxious about 'what is coming their way in terms of the intensity and density of drone flights.' The committee agreed to seek a meeting with the Irish Aviation Authority to discuss the matter further.
Dublin Live
3 days ago
- Business
- Dublin Live
Food drones buzzing like 'lawnmowers' over Dubliners' heads could be 'harmful', says Councillor
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Food delivery drones buzzing like "lawnmowers or mopeds" over Dubliners' heads is "not acceptable", according to a Dublin City Councillor. Cabra-Glasnevin Cllr Gayle Ralph has called for an immediate review of how drone delivery trials "align with existing planning and aviation regulations" after Deliveroo announced a new drone delivery trial yesterday with Manna, an established global drone delivery operator. The takeaway app released footage of its first-ever drone delivery — a portion of fresh sushi and sashimi from popular Japanese restaurant Musashi. The service is currently based in Blanchardstown, and Deliveroo say they will use the initial weeks to assess how drones can help serve suburban and harder-to-reach locations. Over the coming days, people in a 3km radius of Blanchardstown will be able to order from selected restaurants including Musashi, WOWBurger, Boojum, and Elephant & Castle. Orders can be flown to customers in as little as three minutes, the food app has claimed. Manna is also looking to trial drone deliveries from a new base in Dublin Industrial Estate in Glasnevin, according to the Dublin Inquirer, with questions persisting over noise, privacy, safety concerns, and what planning permission is needed. Cllr Ralph said there have already been significant complaints from residents in Dublin 15 about drone noise, which has been likened to 'lawnmowers or mopeds,' with reported levels up to 65 decibels. The noise, the Fine Gael rep says, would be particularly disruptive in densely populated areas like Glasnevin. She added that nearby Drumcondra is Ireland's Autism Friendly Town for 2025, and introducing drones would be "simply incompatible with the needs of our neurodiverse community". She said: "The announcement of Deliveroo's partnership with Manna to begin drone deliveries raises a number of concerns for me as a public representative, particularly around safety, noise pollution, and privacy. "While I appreciate the potential innovation drones can bring to logistics and delivery services, we must not allow technological novelty to outpace the regulatory frameworks that protect our communities. Residents in Dublin 15 have already reported significant noise issues, likening the drone sounds to lawnmowers or mopeds. "That's not acceptable in a densely populated city. The presence of cameras on these drones, regardless of their stated purpose, continues to worry many constituents. "We need full transparency and independent verification regarding data protection, especially when such devices operate over residential areas. Drumcondra has proudly been named Ireland's Autism Friendly Town for 2025. "Introducing drones that generate noise levels of up to 65 decibels is simply incompatible with the needs of our neurodiverse community. For autistic residents, many of whom are sensitive to sound, this disruption is not just inconvenient, it is harmful." Cllr Ralph is calling for: A full environmental and community impact assessment before any further expansion of drone delivery trials Mandatory public consultation for all drone delivery operations in Dublin A clear, enforceable framework for drone flight paths, operational hours, noise thresholds, and privacy protections An immediate review of how these trials align with existing planning and aviation regulations. She added: "Innovation must go hand in hand with responsibility. The public is being left somewhat in the dark, with no clear process for feedback or safeguards against noise, safety, and disruption. "Until these concerns are properly addressed, I cannot support the widespread rollout of commercial drones over Dublin's skies." In their announcement of the partnership yesterday, Deliveroo said: "Drone deliveries can significantly cut wait times and reduce emissions, offering a faster and more sustainable alternative to traditional delivery methods, particularly suited to suburban locations where Deliveroo is looking to increase its presence." Chief Business Officer at Deliveroo Carlo Mocci added: 'Our mission is to bring local neighbourhood favourites to as many people's doors as possible, and constantly raise the bar on the experience and service we provide - so I'm thrilled to launch drone deliveries in Dublin today. We're excited to explore how drones can help us reach new customers, complementing our existing rider model and if successful, the prospect of expanding drone deliveries across Ireland and into other markets.' 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