The new runway at Dublin Airport has been operational using a 70° northward turn since August 2022. This is an unexpected flight path that has caused months of misery for an unsuspecting public in very rural parts of my constituency and indeed of the Taoiseach's. These are communities that were assured over almost two decades of planning that they would not be affected, but they have since found that they are directly impacted by flight operations. Having been approved for planning in 2007, all aircraft movements have been planned for in a straight-out departure path. The Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, Fingal County Council and the aircraft noise competent authority, ANCA, have based their county development plans and noise insulation programmes on these plans. What reassurances can the Taoiseach provide to our communities that have been so adversely affected? What role can the Government plan to ensure accountability on the part of the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, towards a transparent planning process for aircraft departures at Dublin Airport?

I thank Deputy Farrell for raising this important question, which I know is of great concern to his constituents and indeed to constituents not too far from my own place, where there was a well-attended public meeting recently.

I am advised the DAA holds statutory responsibility for the airport. Noise mitigation at Dublin Airport is subject to substantial regulation and oversight as well as best practice mitigation measures. Following the opening of the north runway in August, an issue regarding the runway’s departure flight paths was identified which resulted in some local communities being unexpectedly overflown. Once it was identified, the DAA advised local communities and elected representatives that they had commenced a review with the aim of resolving the issue. When the review was complete, the DAA reverted to these stakeholders, advising that the current standard instrument departures would be updated, resulting in flight paths aligning more closely with those previously consulted on and used as part of the planning process. All flight paths are governed by international safety standards, so the revised departure procedure required a regulatory review and approval before being implemented. The DAA has confirmed that the new flight path will be operational from 23 February and aircraft will operate the revised departure procedure from that date.