Dublin Airport flight paths
Deputy O'Rourke argued that flight paths from Dublin Airport’s north runway had not been properly assessed for noise and asked for compliance and alternatives. The Tánaiste said ANCA was the statutory noise regulator and outlined its role and policy objectives.
Flight paths on the north runway at Dublin Airport have not been appropriately assessed in terms of noise pollution and mitigation. Since the runway opened, more than 138,000 flights have departed and landed. In Ratoath, Ashbourne and surrounding areas, 30,000 people are being impacted. That was never intended to be the case. Will the Government and the Department of Transport ensure that there is appropriate assessment, that there is compliance with planning regulations and that consideration will be given to the alternative proposals being put forward for appropriate flight paths? A lot of matters associated with the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, are before An Bord Pleanála and other forums. These issues are not, however. There are solutions on the table. Ultimately, the DAA needs to be compliant with planning regulations, needs to work with communities and needs to find a way to resolve these issues.
Comment on this
The aircraft noise competent authority, ANCA, is the noise regulator. It was established under the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019. Its statutory functions include monitoring the impact of aircraft noise, assessing proposals for development at Dublin Airport and regulating for the management of aircraft noise. In 2022, ANCA defined a noise abatement objective, NAO, for Dublin Airport to manage the effects of aircraft noise emissions on the surrounding communities and environment at the airport. It gave a clear policy objective set against measurable criteria and outcomes. A report published by ANCA on 2 August this year, which reproduced the NAO for Dublin Airport, together with an inventory of the measures identified by DAA to mitigate the noise impacts, found that while long-term NAO required outcomes are lower than the 2019 levels, one of the four expected outcomes has not been achieved for the 2022 assessment. There is a regulatory authority there and it will take effective action to achieve its objective.
Comment on this
That concludes Questions on Policy or Legislation. Members made reference to the passing of the magnificent artist that was Shane MacGowan and to the burial today of the exceptional political leader that was Tras Honan. It would be appropriate if we stood for a minute's silence in memory of both of them.