Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers has said Dublin Airport will have counter-drone technology in place in a number of weeks.
The Government will also carry out an assessment to see if counter-drone technology is required to protect strategic infrastructure throughout the state such as energy facilities, telecommunications networks, hospitals and prisons.
Dublin Airport says it wants gardaí or the Department of Defence to have ultimate ownership of this technology.
Speaking on Newstalk, Mr Chambers said that Dublin Airport will be tasked with the purchase of counter-drone technology immediately and while this is being sourced, airport operator daa will begin training personnel on how to deploy it, in conjunction with the Irish Aviation Authority.
He said he expects the technology will be in place in a number of weeks and that an assessment of whether there is a broader requirement for this technology in the State is due to be completed by the 1 July.
He said the advice of the Attorney General is that there is no need for new legislation to deploy this equipment, but that there may need to be a statutory instrument under existing legislation
He said the flying of drones near the airport had caused huge disruption.
In response, Dublin Airport said it could not give an exact timeline for the introduction of this technology.
However, daa CEO Kenny Jacobs said it is moving very quickly to introduce the system and that Dublin Airport will have it in place as soon as possible.
