Plans to expand drone delivery services across Dublin have been unveiled.

Some residents, however, have expressed concerns over noise and safety.

Manna, the drone delivery service provider, has already made over 150,000 deliveries by air and claims it has only received 53 complaints in the past 12 months.

On Newstalk Breakfast, reporter Josh Crosbie said there has been a mixed reaction amongst those in Tallaght and Glasnevin, who could have drones flying over their homes soon.

“I don't mind them coming out to Tallaght as long as they don't disturb my environment,” one man said.

“It's probably the way of the future - things flying.

“They won't have a problem with me if they don't disturb my peace and my environment.”

Another Tallaght resident said she thinks it’s great to see progress and the world moving on.

“Wouldn't bother me, I think it's great,” she said.

“I can't understand how they're complaining about the noise.

“Let them have their business, [it doesn’t bother me] as long as you don't get in front of my van.”

High angle view of drone successfully delivered parcel over grassy field, Alamy.

Josh said that not all drone users are happy with how airspace is being allocated.

Neptune Drone Services’ Brian Whyte told Josh he wants to see greater consultation around the distribution of geographical zones.

“The main concerns of our members would be around the fact that it imposes further restrictions on our operations,” he said.

“Drone operations, in general, are fighting against the elements of the weather here, which is wind, rain and even low sun in places causing shadow.

“The implication of these geo zones means that we have to submit an application to AirNav to get approval within three to five days in advance of carrying out the operation.

“Currently, at the moment, in the open airspace category, essentially, if you're a registered drone operator, you can turn up on the day and you can fly your drone - and that obviously has an impact in our business.”

A drone displayed by Dublin City Council as it published a report on the use of drone technology in local government, 14-06-2022. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews

Mr Whyte said the implication of one company operating a business like the drone delivery services is that it becomes an extra challenge for everybody else’s drone businesses.

“This means that one operator then the implication of their operation is imposing on everybody else's,” he said.

“Previously, we wouldn't be able to turn up in the day and fly, but now, because one operator wants to fly in a BV loss, which is beyond visual line of sight, it means that, for the safety of that operation, everybody else has to be put back in order to get approval to get their work done.

“So if you're fighting the weather, if you're fighting a deadline that there's may not suit you lose out commercially there, I suppose.”

Mr Whyte said the solution is to do with traffic management.

“Ultimately, when space is available for everybody, that's essentially a traffic management solution for the lower airspace, which means everyone could work in harmony together but currently, that doesn't exist,” he said.

Drone stock, © PA Archive/PA Images

Dublin City Councillor representing the Glasnevin area and chair of the planning and urban regeneration strategic policy committee Cat O’Driscoll said there’s still a lot of uncertainty amongst her constituents.

“We haven't really gotten to grips with guidelines on best practice, which I think are needed,” she said.

“There are definitely concerns, the top one being safety.

“These are things that could be flying over public areas - we need to make sure that safety is paramount.

“Second would be privacy - ‘Who has the right to fly over my home?’ - and then also, there's concerns about noise.”

Cllr O’Driscoll said the council needs to look at global best practice and see what would work best for Dublin.

Listen back here:

Assembled Drone quadcopter delivering a package. Image: Alamy