UPROAR - United Portmarnock Residents Opposing Another Runway

Presentation by UPROAR
to the
Joint Oirecahtas Committee 2002

Introduction:
UPROAR (United Portmarnock Residents Opposing Another Runway) is a sub-committee of Portmarnock Community Association, set up to protect the quality of fife for residents of our area. It is fundamentally opposed to the proposal of Aer Rianta to build a fourth runway at Dublin Airport. The flight path of this proposed new runway would bring arriving and departing traffic directly over the centre of Portmarnock. UPROAR is opposing this development on health, social, economic and environmental grounds. It proposes an alternative solution, more in the national interest, which is the construction of a second and remote Dublin Airport.

Portmarnock - The Community:
Portmarnock is a mature residential area, which according to the latest census figures has the highest percentage of family homes in any community. It has a population in excess of 8,000. Fingals development plans are to double the 2500 houses in Portmarnock in order to meet the demand for additional houses in the greater Dublin area.

Portmarnock is already experiencing a considerable level of noise nuisance and pollution from the level of operations from the existing runway system, in spite of the fact that the flight paths lie to the south of Portmarnock. No amount of complaints and protests to Aer Rianta on this matter has resolved this matter.

It is extremely inappropriate therefore that a new runway system should be developed in a manner which would bring low flying aircraft directly over houses, gardens, churches, schools and recreational facilities of our community. The quality of life for our residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors would be seriously impaired. The loss of the amenity of our famous Portmarnock beach for future generations would be unforgivable.
Dublin Airport - Economic Impact

Dublin Airport - Economic Impact
Dublin Airport has been a contributor to economic growth in terms of providing an international airport with a network of services. It currently has an annual passenger throughput of 1 3m and has grown by more than one million additional passengers per annum for the last six years, thanks to the low fare strategies adopted by airlines, particularly Ryanair.

The growth of Dublin Airport has seen the creation of 50,000 to 60,000 jobs and the establishment of more than 100 companies at the airport

Aer Rianta are now proposing massive, unconstrained future development to bring capacity to more than 4Dm passengers per year. This is a nightmare scenario, not just for the community of Portmarnock, but also for users of the airport and for the people commuting in the Fingal area and indeed in many parts of Dublin. Existing road systems are already under massive strain from the current level of passengers and related airport traffic. Proposed road and rail improvements will only serve to catch up and ease the existing and unacceptable levels of congestion.

Dublin Airport - The Threat
The unfettered growth of Dublin Airport as the single commercial airport serving the greater Dublin area is simply unsustainable. A 40 million passenger airport would unbalance and destroy all planning standards set for the north Dublin and Fingal areas. Four terminal buildings of the size of the 1972 terminal would be required. Massive apron development, together with increased taxiways will be required which together with the 50,000 car parking spaces will take all the natural soakage from the area leading to even greater levels of flooding than that currently causing such havoc for the communities lying between the airport and the sea. Sewage and drainage requirements would also cause enormous strain on Fingal County Council and of course a new runway and the threefold increase in aircraft operations would bring a deafening and uncontrollable level of noise to all surrounding communities on a 7 day a week, 24 hours a day basis.

Even greater levels of disruption await those traveling to and from the airport. The plans for the development of substantial additional housing throughout Fingal will lead to even greater levels of congestion and conflict between commuters, passengers, meeters and greeters and tourists. Increased capacity on the M50, additional roads, metro systems etc. will all quickly be devoured by the insatiable appetite of the airport, thereby nullifying the advantages and the improvements which should otherwise have been made available to the residents of Dublin and indeed the people who will pay through their taxes for the increased road infrastructure.
Dublin Airport - The Opportunity

Dublin Airport - The Opportunity
A unique and compelling argument now presents itself for the development of a second ÒDublin AirportÓ. The benefits of this proposal are many and obvious.

1. Creation of 50 - 60,000 jobs in an underdeveloped region. The recent oss of traditional industry in Wexford, Roscommon and Athy serve to reinforce this opportunity.
2. 120 new long term businesses would be created in surrounding regions.
3. Other investments would be attracted by the facility of an international airport in this area.
4. Travel times to the airport would be greatly reduced for 50% of the population.
5. A fast rail service would be developed which would bring improved facilities to surrounding communities.
6. Cheaper housing would be developed in areas outside of Dublin.
7. The nightmare scenario of 2.4 million people living in Dublin as set out in their special strategy report would be avoided.
8. The governmentÕs policy of decentralisation would be enhanced and facilitated.
9. The governmentÕs policy on competition would also be satisfied by the provision of a second international airport.
10. Cargo operations for areas outside of Dublin would be greatly facilitated.

The Environment:
1. Dublin Airport currently is unconstrained by environmental requirements, unlike many airports throughout the European Union. It was built in the 1940Õs and its operations are currently leading to pollution of air and water through noise toxic emissions oil spillages, de-icing and other activities.
2. A new airport would have environmental best practice included in its design.
3. Impact on environment would be extreme if airport growth targets are allowed to develop in this single site.
4.The inefficient location of Dublin airport on one side of the city is wasteful of fuel and quality time for at least 50% of airport users.
5.Portmarnock beach is famous for its dunes and safe swimming area and is used by hundreds of thousands of Dubliners all year round as an escape from city lifestyle. To destroy this amenity for the citizens of the country by bringing a flight path directly over this area would be unpardonable and unforgivable. The facility of Portmarnock beach is unique and cannot be disturbed - an airport runway can.
Conclusion:

Conclusion:
In many ways the future of Dublin Airport represents a threat and an opportunity. It is a local issue with national implications and a national problem with local aspects.

No serious study of options has ever been committed rather Aer Rianta in their indecent and commercial haste are we believe seeking to safeguard their monopoly position and enhance their commercial value for their pending privatisation.
UPROAR is seeking an independent study on the proposal for a second international airport to service the greater Dublin area and other national requirements. We believe that the benefits referred to previously will provide huge long term benefits for many people outside of Dublin and are totally in harmony with government policies and strategies in relation to balance in our society.

This proposal also represents a tangible commitment to environmental improvements within the Kyoto principles and represents a tangible and real demonstration of the need to maintain, if not improve, the quality of life for the citizens of the country.

Portmarnock and other communities are already enjoying the benefits and negative impact of a major international airport. It is now time to share the benefits and spread the disadvantages of the future growth of air transport in Ireland with other areas of the country.