Ireland’s new drone framework could clear the skies for drone deliveries and more.
News that the Irish Government has published its National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems is being welcomed by advocates of drone delivery services such as Bobby Healy’s Manna Air Delivery.
Healy has described the framework’s publication as a key milestone for the country’s emerging drone economy.
“This is a pivotal moment. By establishing a clear, forward-looking regulatory foundation, the Government has laid the groundwork for a safe, innovative, and globally competitive drone economy”
The framework, released this week, sets out a national regulatory structure for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), clarifying responsibilities around safety, privacy, noise, and enforcement. Oversight will be shared between the Department of Transport, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), and An Garda Síochána.
The sky’s the limit
Bobby Healy, CEO and founder of Manna, said the framework would help Ireland compete globally in drone innovation.
Healy’s belief is that drone deliveries by air could help cut down on road deliveries. His business has already pioneered food and coffee deliveries, but with other products such as pharmaceuticals and fashion ripe for air delivery, the sky really is the limit on what is possible.
“I welcome today’s publication of Ireland’s National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” Healy said. “This is a pivotal moment. By establishing a clear, forward-looking regulatory foundation, the Government has laid the groundwork for a safe, innovative, and globally competitive drone economy,” Healy said.
He added that the policy signalled Ireland’s readiness to lead in UAV innovation, attract investment, and foster high-tech job creation.
“The Government has also signalled its intention to support the infrastructure needed for drone services to thrive. With Manna already recognised as a European and global leader alongside multinationals like Amazon and Google, Ireland now has the opportunity to back its own homegrown champion,” he said.
Manna has operated in Dublin 15 for the past 18 months, delivering to 42,000 households and receiving support from more than 2,200 residents. The company says its service has helped families by reducing traffic in residential areas and saving time for those dealing with illness or mobility issues.
The company currently employs 160 people in Ireland and supports 47 local businesses. All aircraft are designed and built domestically. Manna operates under EU-wide Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) approval and is regulated by both the IAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Independent research by Maynooth University found that Manna’s electric drones are more than 99% more carbon-efficient than cars and vans, saving an estimated 150 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually in each suburb.
The new framework also provides clarity for local authorities, which until now have relied on Manna’s own best practices. Healy said the structure would help build public confidence in drone operations.
Internationally, Manna has launched commercial operations in Finland and Texas, with further expansion planned. The company sees Ireland’s framework as a timely move, allowing the country to keep pace with global developments in drone logistics.
Governments around the world are accelerating efforts to scale drone delivery. In the United States, federal agencies have been directed to fast-track BVLOS approvals and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. In Europe, the commercial drone market is forecast to grow tenfold by 2034.
With more than 200,000 safe flights completed and recognition as one of Europe’s most innovative frontier tech companies, Manna says Ireland is now well-positioned to benefit from the jobs, investment, and social value offered by the drone delivery sector.
Manna from the heavens
Manna is an Irish drone delivery company founded by serial entrepreneur Bobby Healy in 2018.
Headquartered in Dublin, Manna provides a “Drone Delivery as a Service” platform that enables restaurants, dark kitchens, and e-commerce businesses to deliver goods within minutes across a 30-square-mile catchment area. The company’s drones can deliver everything from food and fashion to pharmaceuticals, offering a scalable and environmentally friendly alternative to road-based logistics.
Healy, formerly CTO of CarTrawler, is a seasoned tech entrepreneur with a background in aviation and travel technology. His vision for Manna is to make Ireland a global hub for drone logistics, positioning the company at the forefront of the fifth industrial age. Manna has already completed tens of thousands of deliveries in towns like Balbriggan and Blanchardstown, and is expanding into the Nordics and the UK, with partnerships including JustEat and DoorDash.
In March 2025, Manna raised $30m in a venture round led by Molten Ventures and Tapestry VC, with participation from Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, Enterprise Ireland, and others. This brought its total funding to over $55m across five rounds. The capital is being used to scale operations, develop quieter aircraft, and expand internationally.
Drone delivery service gets flak
However, in Ireland, Manna’s drone delivery service has sparked a mix of enthusiasm and concern, particularly in Dublin 15 where the company has been piloting its operations.
While the service promises ultra-fast delivery times of three to ten minutes and has been praised by local businesses for boosting trade, some residents have raised complaints about noise and privacy.
Some locals describe the drone noise as intrusive and unpredictable. Fiona Hourihane, a resident near one of Manna’s launch areas, told RTE’s Primetime programme: “It’s a loud, intrusive noise into a peaceful setting … You don’t know when they’ll come, and you have no say.” She also expressed concerns about privacy, calling it “an invasion of our quality of life.”
In response, Healy acknowledged the complaints, stating that the company has received just over 100 complaints from the 44,000 households in Dublin 15 and has responded to each one.
Healy said Manna is investing in quieter propeller technology, which is expected to reduce noise by 40%, pending regulatory approval.
Despite the backlash, Healy defended the service’s benefits, citing support from small businesses and confirming that Manna is now seeking new location partners in other Dublin suburbs.
Either way, with the new framework published, Healy must be over the moon.
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