asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has made special regulations governing night flying over cities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Night Flying Over Cities.
66.
There are no statutory regulations governing night flying over cities.
For many years past, Aer Rianta at the request of my Department, have actively discouraged the night flying of jet aircraft at Dublin Airport. This arrangement has resulted in the virtual elimination of scheduled flights of jet aircraft in and out of Dublin Airport between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. During the summer months, however, some charter flights operate up to 1 a.m.
The question of effecting further improvement in noise abatement from jet aircraft at Dublin Airport is under examination by my Department.
I do not know when what is called "the summer season" commences but for the past two months at least, at 12 o'clock, 12.30 and 1 o'clock in the morning planes have been flying in and out of Dublin Airport. Considerable noise and disturbance have been caused. This is a situation which should not be allowed to continue whatever the loss to Aer Lingus or anybody else.
They were chartered flights I am sure. Normally it would be during the months of June and September. I have not got the figure here for how many flights have come in, but my recollection is that it was not an excessive number. The Deputy may like to know that at the moment discussions which are going on with my Department should result in no jets flying in and out of Dublin Airport from 9 o'clock at night until 7.30 in the morning. This will lead to a further abatement of the noise nuisance on the north side of the city.
I thank the Minister for that information but, while the jet planes would be the greatest offenders, I arrived home this morning at 2 o'clock and as I retired I heard some type of plane operating.
I do not know about 2 o'clock this morning, but my understanding is that no planes are flying in and out of Dublin Airport after 1 a.m.
Has the Minister no idea of the schedules of the charter tour operators who are flying in at night time only?
I answered that in my reply.
It was the Minister for Defence in a helicopter.
Question No. 67.