Failure to deploy Dublin Airport’s newly acquired drone technology is putting Ireland’s international reputation at risk, Fine Gael’s Colm Brophy has said. 

The country’s largest airport has been closed six times this year because of drone sightings. 

Anti-drone technology was bought three months ago but the DAA is still “engaging extensively with the relevant safety regulators”. 

For the Dublin South-West TD, the delay is “unbelievable”. 

“Allowing for how urgent this is and allowing for the impact that… it could have on Ireland’s reputation internationally as a tourist destination if our main airport is being closed down due to drone activity,” he told Newstalk. 

“It is unbelievable that we haven’t seen the approval being given.” 

A ‘No Drone Zone’ sign at Dublin Airport. Image: PA Images / Alamy

Nearly 400,000 passengers will pass through the airport over the bank holiday and Deputy Brophy said Transport Minister Eamon Ryan needs to speed up the process. 

“Minister Eamon Ryan needs to intervene to ensure that between the DAA and ComReg that we actually have a situation where the anti-drone technology can be deployed and be available for this weekend and for the whole summer,” he said. 

The DAA has described the flying of drones near airports as “reckless” and “irresponsible”. 

It is also illegal to do and Minister Ryan said perpetrators are “taking a huge risk with their own liberty.”

Main image: A drone.