asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he is aware of the British Government's concern about the prospect of supersonic bangs from overflying aircraft and of their intention to consult with the American and continental air transport companies; and whether he will arrange for Irish representation at such international discussions so that Irish airspace may be adequately protected from such nuisance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sonic Boom.
3.
Sufficient is not yet known about the intensity of the sonic boom or its acceptability by the public. The matter is under study in the United Kingdom and the United States. I am very much concerned about the likely effect of the boom and I am following these studies closely. I have also arranged to have the matter discussed at the next meeting of the European aviation authorities in October next. Meanwhile, the question of regulatory action is receiving attention in my Department in the light of the data available to date.
Has the Minister's attention been directed to the statement in the British House of Commons that the Minister responsible for such matters has arranged for a number of experimental supersonic flights over various parts of England in order to elicit public reaction to them and eventually to initiate discussion with continental and USA companies with a view to securing some undertaking from them that they will not travel at supersonic speeds over the land areas of Great Britain? Will the Minister not agree that while such discussions are in progress, it is vitally important that at this stage Ireland should be represented with a view to securing a similar undertaking that supersonic flights will not take place over our land areas? Even if such aircraft pass near our west coast or north coast, the supersonic boom can still be felt in this country.
This whole matter is under study. First of all, there have been no tests with very large jet aircraft, only with military aircraft, so there has not been any evaluation of the large jet supersonic boom. Secondly, there is a complication in the case of limited tests already carried out in Great Britain and in America. Unfortunately in countries similar to our own only a certain percentage of the people expressed their dislike of the boom. As I have already said to Deputies, there is not half enough anti noise propaganda in any civilised country of the world and this matter is fraught with difficulties. Thirdly, even if under the Chicago Air Convention rules we were able to prevent planes overflying this country and not landing at Shannon, they could in effect fly within 30 miles of the coast and the boom would still extend over Irish territory. It is true that transatlantic planes flying near the north or south coast of Ireland would cause the supersonic boom to be felt over Ireland. We are keeping closely in touch with all those examinations and getting all the available data. We shall actually raise the matter ourselves at the next major conference.
Is the Minister not aware that this matter has been exhaustively discussed at the Council of Europe at a committee of which I was a member? Almost five years ago, I personally acquainted the Council of Europe of the very peculiar position of Ireland, being on the extreme west of the continent and therefore in the trajectory course of transatlantic flights. Extensive research has gone on at this conference. Perhaps the Minister would familiarise himself with what has been going on for the past five years when as a result of my usual foresight, I foresaw the danger of which the British Government are now becoming aware.
I am fully aware of what went on. I want to make it clear to the Deputy that in regard to this matter there are many matters which have to be taken into consideration. We have to have regard to what other countries are doing. As the Deputy has said, we should be able to devise something which would prevent supersonic booms from being felt over this country.
Mr. O'Malley
This is a new Fine Gael attitude in this matter.
You did not break the sonic boom yesterday.