Dublin Airport should have access to counter-drone technology within a number of weeks.
That's according to Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers.
He was speaking after flights were suspended at the airport last week for the sixth time this year.
Minister Chambers told The Hard Shoulder the procurement is moving fast.
"We'll be bringing forward proposals on this, and it's important we progress a solution," he said.
"I know it's caused a lot of concern and disruption for many passengers and airlines.
"The Dublin Airport Authority will be tasked with purchasing and operating counter-drone technology.
"They're going to advance the procurement of that immediately.
"In parallel, they're going to train up personel to use the specific technology, and develop safety systems with the Irish Aviation Authority, to ensure it can deployed in Dublin Airport as quickly as possible.
"We expect that will take a number of weeks.
"We are moving to formalise that and ensure that we have counter-drone technology."
'Strategic infrastructure'
Minister Chambers said certain 'strategic infrastructure' will also have access to anti-drone measures.
"We also want to assess the broader requirement to protect strategic infrastructure across the State - and assess the wider development of counter-drone technological solutions," he said.
"That's why there'll be an assessment of that, which will conclude by the 1st of July".
Minister Chambers said this will allow the State to "detect and disrupt drones in other parts" of the country besides airports
"We'll be accelerating that process as well," he explained.
Legislation
Minister Chambers said there is no need for a legislative change.
"I've been engaging with the Attorney-General on this; and the current position is that there isn't a need for primary legislation.
"We can introduce counter-drone technology at the airport.
"There may be a requirement to introduce a statutory instrument under existing legislation, but there's no legislative delay or roadblock to introducing counter-drone technology".
Asked why it has taken so long if there was no legislative change needed, Minister Chambers said other elements were brought in by previous governments and the DAA.
"They did introduce drone detection technology at that time to actually detect the drones," he said.
"That specific detection equipment has helped... we've a number of enforcement cases and prosecutions that are pending through An Garda Síochána," he added.
Listen back to the full interview below:
