Newsletter Nr.4 - December 2001

It hasn't gone away, you know!
The last three months have seen a major reversal of fortunes in the aviation business in Ireland and particularly to Aer Rianta's plan to construct a new fourth runway, the flight path of which would be directly over Portmarnock. Uproar warmly welcome the independent Aviation Regulator's criticism of Aer Rianta's capital expenditure plans. It is astonishing that, in spite of his findings and the total opposition of Aer Lingus and Ryanair who together carry the vast majority of passengers through Dublin Airport, Aer Rianta are stubbornly persisting with their plans for the fourth runway.
The terrible and tragic events on 11th September have also dramatically changed the face of world aviation. The horrific television images on that fatal Tuesday will live in everyone's mind for the rest of their lives.
As we go to print we learn of yet another incident in which an American Airlines Airbus crashed into the residential area of Queens in New York. It is no comfort for the residents of Portmarnock to realise that they are similarly situated in relation to Dublin Airport. When this accident is considered in conjunction with previous incidents at Amsterdam (Boeing 747) and Paris (Concorde), the sheer madness of Aer Rianta's proposal to construct a runway with a flight-path over our community becomes obvious to everyone. Lives must come before profit.

Aviation Regulator's Findings
Mr. Bill Prasifka the aviation regulator lashed Aer Rianta in his report for its inefficiency and failure to consult airport users about its plans. He approved only 27% of their proposed capital expenditure programme.
Airlines operating into Dublin Airport reacted positively to Mr. Prasifka's report. They described Aer Rianta's plans including the new runway as 'gold plated' and not required.
A statement issued by UROAR noted the regulator's findings and reduction in the capital expenditure programme. This calls into question the credibility of the Board and management of Aer Rianta. It would be impossible for us or any community to have confidence in Aer Rianta or to take them seriously anymore".
But Aer Rianta persists...
The Chairman of Aer Rianta, Mr. Noel Hanlon, stated that they would proceed with the new runway and that the money would be found.

UROAR forces changes to flight paths..
Nora Owen TD. has passed to us a reply to her representations which she received from Aer Rianta which says 'agreement has been reached to introduce significant improvements to air traffic control procedures to be implemented in November This follows talks between Irish Aviation Authority (air traffic control), Aer Rianta and the airlines.
Medium bodied and large aircraft approaching from the East will now only join the centreline significantly to the East of the Baldoyle roundabout and therefore will not come across the community of Portmarnock or Sutton when making an approach. Departing aircraft, including all medium and large aircraft, will proceed straight ahead when they are taking off to the East until they have cleared the land at Baldoyle roundabout. This will mean that for aircraft wishing to turn either North or South they will only do so when well away from land. Aircraft turning South will continue straight until they have cleared Howth Head.
Light aircraft, up to and including the BAE 146 will however be allowed to leave the centreline when departing before the community of Portmarnock and to join the centreline, on rare occasions, inside the Baldoyle roundabout.

Aer Rianta object to Parish Centre
Aer Rianta lodged a planning objection to the new St. Anne's Parich Centre to be built beside the church because of its proximity to flight paths. This demonstartes the hypocrisy of their treatment of Portmarnock. Many justifiable complaints of noise pollution and over-flights of our community have been dismissed by them as imagination. In reality this is an argument being made by Aer Rianta that the proposed second East/West should not be built. It is an admission by them that aircraft noise and the other inherent dangers of aircraft approaching and taking off from Dublin Airport would be a problem.

The Government and Aer Rianta should now concede that the community of Portmarnock exists and that it will not be possible to build a second East/West runway over-flying our community.

CURFEW AT HEATHROW?
A recent determination by the European Court of Human Rights means that all flights in and out of Heathrow should be banned from 22.30 to 06.00 hours. This decision was based on the right of individuals to a nights sleep.

The Court ruled that the UK Government's scheme for night flights at the airport contravenes Articles 8 and 13 of the 'Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms'. Article 8 refers to an individual's right to enjoy his or her home and private life. Article 13 refers to the right to remedial action. The ruling is not however binding on the UK government and they have no immediate plans to ban night flights.

The case was thought likely to have an impact on all other airports within the EU. The judgement, Hatton and others versus the United Kingdom (application no. 36022/97, can be downloaded from the website

UPROAR is greatly encouraged by this outcome because the sleep of people in Portmarnock is every bit as important as it is for those living near Heathrow. UROAR is currently in dialogue with other communities with a view to a joint strategy on this important issue. It is a pity that the Minister, who is well aware of the court's findings, would not act on her own initiative rather than wait to be dragged into court on this matter.

THE POLITICIANS...
UPROAR has been disappointed at the absence of any response from the Taoiseach to our petition signed by more than 4,000 residents of Portmarnock opposing the construction of a new runway. A deputation of residents presented the petition to G.V. Wright T.D. in June but to date, almost five months later, we have only received an acknowledgement. This is not acceptable to UPROARand there can be little doubt but that this is a major issue for residents of Portmarnock that will influence the votes of many at the next election.

Senator Glennon
A meeting took place with Senator J. Glennon who subsequently raised the runway issue in the Seanad. Senator Glennon has promised us his full and active support.

Trevor Sargent T.D.
Congratulations to Dep. Trevor Sargent on his election as leader of the Green Party. We are confident that the issue of a new 'green' airport and the protection of the quality of life for residents of Portmarnock will continue to be high in his priorities.

Property Value who do you believe?
Just days after we received a note from Aer Rianta s chief executive indicating that houses in Portmarnook would appreciate in value because of proximity to the airport, a major study contradicting this appeared in the Observer Newspaper. They found that house values were seriously affected by the inevitabie noise and pollution associated with flight paths.

"Ice dropping on houses from leaking aircraft toilets is, of course, objectionable and highly dangerous' said a member of the Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise. The report indicated that people are happy to live close to an airport for accessibility to travel but no one wants to live under the flight path to a runway.

Noise Monitoring
G.V. Wright T.D. has passed us a copy of a letter he received from Aer Rianta where they state that they anticipate having flight track monitoring element operational by the end of November. The system will then go through a testing and commissioning phase but it should be producing inforrnation before the end of the year.

The second phase will involve the installation of six noise monitoring stations and they are negotiating with landowners regarding sites for these. In the meantime they willl make use of two portable stations which they have ordered.

We should not get too excited by this development because we have all seen statistics being used by big business to try to influence and bamboozle opinion. Portmarnock residents are already well aware of the annoyance that can be caused
by aircraft using the existing runways.