Anti-drone technology is expected to be in place at Dublin Airport within a matter of weeks.
Drones have disrupted flight operations at the airport half a dozen times since January, with the most recent interference happening last Thursday.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and Junior Minister Jack Chambers will ask Cabinet this morning to approve plans appointing daa as the operator of counter-drone technology at the airport, with the technology expected to be in place "in a number of weeks".
Read more: Ryanair calls on Minister for Transport to act against drone use in heated video
Speaking to Newstalk yesterday, Minister of State Jack Chambers said daa will start the procurement of anti=drone technology "immediately".
"In parallel, they're going to train up personnel 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," he said.
"We expect that will take a number of weeks. We are moving to formalise that and ensure that we have counter-drone technology."
Kenny Jacobs, daa CEO, welcomed that the State "has made a decision on this important issue" but added that daa "remain of the view that the ultimate owners of this must be An Garda Síochana or the Department of Defence".
"However, we are already progressing this at pace in the interests of the public safety and to prevent travel disruption," he said. "Exact timelines cannot be confirmed just yet given the requirement to identify and procure the most suitable technology, engage with the Irish Aviation Authority on its use and train those that will ultimately deploy it.
"But we are moving very quickly, and we will have this technology in place as soon as possible.”
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