Mal, I dont think thats a strictly fair answer to gatordent's question, at least with regard recreational flying of Phantoms and the like when carrying a camera. In the Republic of Ireland you do need permission from the IAA in Northern Ireland you do not need permission from the CAA. Having said that many do ignore the IAA's rules.
" It is IAA policy that UAS operations in Ireland must meet at least the same safety and operational standards as manned aircraft. Therefore, UAS operations must be as safe as manned aircraft insofar as they must not present or create a greater hazard to persons, property, vehicles or vessels, whilst in the air or on the ground, than those attributable to the operation of manned aircraft."
"The underlying policy of the IAA is that a UAS may not be flown in Ireland without the operator obtaining a specific Permission from the Authority. Additionally, where such a UAS is to be used for commercial purposes such as filming, photography, survey, surveillance, etc, the operator must apply to the Authority for an Aerial Work Permission to cover such activity."