Amended legislation and regulatory approval comes after series of flight disruptions by drones earlier this year
Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan has added a subsection making it lawful for the DAA or its agents “to work or use a radio frequency jammer at Dublin Airport to interfere with the working of, or otherwise injuriously affect, any UAS [unmanned aircraft system]” where it believes this is necessary to ensure public safety.
A spokesperson for the DAA said: “We acted quickly in response to the Government’s direction on this matter and, following the purchase of counter-drone equipment, the training of relevant personnel and having recently received the necessary approvals, the anti-drone technology is fully operational and available for use as and when required.
The agency has had drone-detection equipment for some time but, unlike many other big European airports, did not have the legal right to take down unmanned aircraft when they trespassed into the safety zone around Dublin Airport. As a result, there were severe disruptions to flights in February and March after drone incursions.
DAA initially called for new legislation and a State agency to be responsible for managing counter-drone technology.
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