Newsletter Nr.2 - May 2001

A report by Professor Walter Holland of London School of Economics states:
"AIRPORT NOISE IS HARMFUL TO THE HEALTH & WELL BEING OF CHILDREN"

The need to minimise noise pollution in all its forms in order to improve local environmental quality and reduce health risks is now recognised by all. The effects
of noise cause interference with communication, which leads to interference with speech and scholastic performance, at the levels common near airports.

Noise is the most common source of sleep disturbance and sleep disruption. Sleep disturbance leads to deficits in performance, particularly vigilance and cognition. Individuals living near airports increase their use of sedatives and anti-asthmatic drugs.
Ithaca, New York: Children in schools bombarded by frequent aircraft noise don't learn to read as well as children in quiet schools, Cornell University researchers have confirmed.
Ithaca, New York: The constant roar from jet aircraft can seriously affect the health and psychological well-being of children, according to a Cornell University study. The health problems resulting from chronic airport noise, including higher blood pressure and boosted levels of stress hormones, the researchers say, may have lifelong effects.

There has been overwhelming support for Uproar's campaign of opposition to the construction of an additional runway at Dublin Airport which would result in many more aircraft flying over Portmarnock.
The door-to-door canvass for support for the campaign which was conducted by dedicated volunteers has resulted in thousands of residents signing the petition of opposition to Aer Rianta's plan for the new runway.As well as signing the petition, householders have contributed financially to the campaign. The request was for each household to donate £5 towards the campaign to meet running costs. So far, in excess of £8,000 has been contributed.

UPROAR would like it to be known that it is not opposed to die development of Dublin Airport - far from it. It recognises that many, many people from Portmarnock and the neighbouring communities earn their living either at the airport or in airport-related services.

However, it does not accept that a major new east-west runway, as is the plan, should be built. Such a runway would take air traffic over homes in Portmarnock. UPROAR is of the opinion that in the medium term, any major expansion of air services in and out of the capital should be accommodated by a new airport either in the greater Dublin area or in some of the adjacent counties.

An interview with UPROAR representative Teresa Kavanagh was broadcast on RTE Radio's "5-7 Live" programme on April 23. The interview was taped on location in Portmarnock. Noise from aircraft on take-off flying overhead came across loud and clear and was broadcast to the nation.Some listeners thought the aircraft noise was a sound effect! Alas, it was only too real and all too authentic!!
Points made in the interview were:
That it was only in response to pressure from communities near the airport that Aer Rianta was now instituting some form of noise and flightpath Monitoring.

That going from the current 14 million passenger movements per annum at Dublin Airport to 40-50 million does not make sense in terms of traffic and infrastructure.
That efforts should be made to further develop regional airports and that resources should not be piled on to Dublin Airport making it "top heavy" and more inefficient.

That a Greenfield site should be sought and another airport be built to service Dublin and surrounding counties.

The full text of the broadcast, including comments by newly-appointed Dublin Airport Manager Bob Hillard is available on available on this site

G.V.WRIGHTTO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS
At a meeting with Deputy G.V.Wright, it was agreed that he would represent and support the following position to his Government colleagues on behalf of the community of Portmarnock:

I. A study to be carried out to identify a site suitable for the location and development of a second "Dublin" airport.

2. Work on the development of an environmental impact analysis for the proposed second parallel runway at Dublin Airport to be cancelled.

In a subsequent reply to Deputy Wright, UPROAR stated that it was reassuring to hear his unequivocal and unconditional opposition to the Aer Rianta proposals for the construction of the new runway. UPROAR said no other issue had the capacity to inflict so much damage on our community and our quality of life nor had there been an issue which has attracted so much support and determination to ensure it never happens. Residents in old Portmarnock were already suffering serious noise pollution from existing traffic levels.

UPROAR also had a meeting with Deputy Trevor Sargeant and Councillor Heidi Bedell.
As a representative of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport, Deputy Sargeant has succeeded in his quest before the committee to have the new runway proposal examined. This will include a presentation by Portmarnock Community Association to the Committee at the earliest opportunity.

Deputy Sargeant also undertook to research the European legislative framework regarding airport developments and related environmental controls with Dublin Green MEP Patricia McKenna. The fact that noise pollution from Dublin Airport is not subject to controls from the Environmental Protection Agency indicates how poorly protected is the Portmarnock community from a legislative point of view.

Both Deputy Sargeant and ClIr. Bedell - who is also chairperson of the area committee for Portmarnock on Fingal Co. Council. pledged to assist the UPROAR campaign in every way.
UPROAR also arranged meetings with Deputies Nora Owen and Sean Ryan and there will be reports on those meetings on this site.

"Ryanair opposes runway at Dublin Airport"
This report also included quotes from Brian Byrne of UPROAR.
(Sunday Independent, 9/4/01)

An UPROAR spokesman said Sunday afternoon walks along the beach would be a thing of the past if a second "motorway in the sky" is constructed.
(Fingal Independent, 27/4/01)

"Noise Levels were unbearable"
A spokesperson for Uproar insisted that noise levels were unbearable. One pilot said 'they can take a short cut if they come down the coast across Portmarnock and then make a visual approach to the runway.'

"O'Leary (Ryanair) said that noise monitoring was just another fictitious issue dreamt up by Aer Rianta. 'They think it will help keep the residents happy while they try to get the new runway built.'
Ryanair has opposed the new runway claiming it would be a waste of money.
(Sunday Times. 22/4/01)