Written answer
Airport Policy
51. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport to provide the safety reports on the 28R and 28L runways at Dublin Airport; the analysis of dependant-mode operation of said runways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52106/26]
Comment on this
Deputy, I refer to the response provided to you in my recent reply of 24 June 2026 to Dáil Parliamentary Question No. 152, which set out a response regarding Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) and clarified that my Department does not hold safety data related to departure routes off the North Runway at Dublin Airport.
I can confirm that my Department also does not hold an analysis of the dependant-mode operation of the runways at Dublin Airport.
To reiterate, under EU legislation, the operator of an airport is responsible for the design and maintenance of Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) which set flight paths into and out of an airport. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), as the civil aviation safety regulator in Ireland, has responsibility for ensuring that IFPs adhere to safety standards set out in national, EU and international regulations.
Separately, monitoring compliance with planning permission conditions is matter for the relevant Council that granted those permissions, and enforcement of planning conditions is a matter for the relevant planning authorities. However, it is important to clarify that flight paths are not a condition of planning at Dublin Airport.
As the Deputy will be aware, at the recent second stage debate on the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026 in Dáil Éireann on the 23rd of June, and at subsequent debates on the Bill, I have committed to ensuring that an independent assessment of flightpaths at Dublin Airport will be undertaken at the appropriate time.
The most suitable point for this work will most likely be when a final decision is made regarding the North Runway Relevant Action. This timing will ensure that the assessment is based on the most accurate and current operational data, incorporating the latest noise modelling methodologies, and can support the identification of appropriate solutions.