Robotic drones could be used by gardaí for surveillance purposes.

The Irish Times is reporting that An Garda Síochana are considering buying the unmanned remote aircrafts.

They would be used in areas where it is suspected that drugs, fuel or contraband goods are stored.

Fianna Fail's Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins says he is not against the idea, but that he would like to know more about the cost:

It comes as investigative website thedetail.tv, reports that the PSNI used drones 114 times in the North since June 2013.

The website reports that the "PSNI currently has nine drones consisting of three different models including one craft with a wingspan of almost ten feet," adding that twelve officers are trained in their use.

The drones are said to have been used in operations such as the G8 summit in Fermanagh, Royal visits, the Giro d’Italia, search operations and bomb alerts.