New runway
Dublin airport making a bad investment
Village Magazine 22 - 28 June 06

I refer to Emma Browne's item in Village (15-21 June) where she correctly pointed out that the health risks due to the proposed new runway at Dublin Airport had not been properly assessed. However, she described UPROAR as "the community group against the airport".

I want to state categorically that, in opposing the runway, we are not against Dublin Airport. One must distinguish between the airport, which is important for the national economy, and this runway, which is not.

On the contrary, it will waste €3bn of public and private assets and the
resulting traffic chaos will cripple ground access to the airport.

The health impacts have not been properly assessed, but neither has a
proper assessment been made of the economics of this runway, in spite of EU rules and Department of Finance guidelines. In opposing this runway, UPROAR is defending, not only directly-damaged communities, but also the national interest - and the interests of Dublin Airport, which is planning to make a bad investment.

So, if, like UPROAR, you are for Dublin Airport, you should oppose this runway. Unfortunately, a misguided Fingal County Council has given planning approval. We have appealed that decision to An Bord Pleanála.