Dáil question from Sean Ryan T.D. to
Minister for Public Enterprise Mary O'Rourke T.D. 1/5/01
*To ask the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans being put in place to control noise levels effecting residential areas in the environs of Dublin Airport; and if there are any plans to install fixed monitors on the flight approaches; and if there will be night time curfews introduced to protect residential areas such as Portmarnock and St. Margaret's in County Dublin.
- Sean Ryan.

REPLY:
"I am advised by Aer Rianta that, in conjunction with representatives of the aviation industry at Dublin Airport, they recently developed a comprehensive Noise Management Strategy for Dublin Airport. The Strategy incorporates a Policy Statement, a set of general objectives and an Action Plan. This Action Plan is being implemented by the Dublin Airport Operations Planning Group. This Group is fully representative of all of the aviation interests at Dublin Airport including Aer Rianta, the Irish Aviation Authority and airlines. This Noise Management Strategy is part of the broader process of consultation by Aer Rianta. This wider process of consultation by Aer Rianta is in relation their capital spending plans, and it is envisaged that this consultation will, in due course, also involve local residents.

As part of this Strategy, Aer Rianta is in the process of procuring and installing a Noise and Right Track Monitoring System which, it is expected, will be commissioned by the end of this year. This will be an integrated system whereby aircraft flight tracks and aircraft noise will be monitored. Aircraft noise will be monitored at six fixed reference points around Dublin Airport. The locations for these reference points have been selected in accordance with the criteria set down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The system will be implemented on a par with best practice at other airports in Europe and will comply with all relevant standards.

No legislation will be required from my Department to allow for the implementation of this system. However, planning permission is required from Fingal County Council and an application will be lodged shortly by Aer Rianta.

I would also add that the Irish Aviation Authority will be supporting the aircraft tracks and noise monitoring system by making available radar data. The Authority have also assisted in alleviating the impact of aircraft noise, by the introduction of departures procedures at Dublin Airport, which minimize the impact of aircraft on major residential areas.

The regulations, which apply in Ireland to aircraft noise levels, are those which have been promulgated at European Union level. I would also add that, as a result of these regulations, the older and nosier generation of aircraft, will be banned from European Union airports from 1 April, 2002.

I have no plans to introduce night time curfews at Dublin Airport. While I am alive to the concerns of residents(I will ignore them), I must also bear in mind the needs of other sectors(not human beings), such as manufacturing industry, international cargo operators, charter operators and their passengers. These sectors rely very heavily on open access at Dublin Airport, particularly in view of modern "just in time" distribution methods which are essential to the functioning of modern international companies".