The National Parks and Wildlife Service is to crack down on helicopter flying over national parks.
The service is currently drawing up regulations for helicopters in an attempt to safeguard the Burren in Co Clare, Glenveagh National Park in Donegal, Killarney National Park and others from unnecessary intrusion as the number of private or civil helicopters in the country has reached its highest level.
At the moment licensed helicopter pilots are asked to observe a code of conduct and not to fly over sensitive areas such as national parks, stud farms, churches and recreational and residential areas, but compliance is voluntary according to the Irish Aviation Authority.
The number of civil helicopters stands at 69, with 20 of these licensed for public transport.
Mr Paddy O'Sullivan, regional manager with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in the south-west, said the new regulations in the form of park by-laws were needed to strengthen the current code of conduct and would be introduced on all parks shortly. Dúchas would be seeking the co-operation of air traffic control in implementing the laws, he said.
Meanwhile, a planning application by the Killarney Race Company to construct a dedicated helipad at a racecourse in Killarney, near the national park, has attracted a chorus of objections from local residents. Concern has been voiced too over helicopter tours in the park. Over 50 residents in the racecourse area, which is adjacent to Ross Castle and the Killarney National Park, have told the town council their quality of life will be severely affected by exposure to noise if the helipad at the town's racecourse goes ahead. They are worried too about invasion of privacy and interference with tourism.
An Taisce, in a submission to the town council, have voiced fears about the possibility of "helicopter tours" over the lakes and scenery in the national park. The proposed helipad site was in a sensitive area close to housing and the park, and the usage should be limited to racecourse events only, Dr Catherine McMullin of An Taisce said.
Killarney Race Course Company Ltd said the application was to regularise the present situation. The route will be from the south-east, avoiding residential areas, and pilots will be given an information pack containing operational details of when to arrive and leave.