asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will give full details of the new procedures in operation at Dublin Airport to prevent incidence of disturbance from aircraft noise.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aircraft Noise.
23.
I assume the Deputy is referring to revised procedures which were drawn up by my Department in August, 1973. These procedures have been brought into operation by Aer Lingus and discussions are proceeding with other airlines with a view to their adoption.
These procedures as promulgated to airline captains by company notices are in technical terms. They are rather lengthy and complicated but I will arrange for a copy to be sent to the Deputy.
I would like to take this opportunity of correcting a statement I made when replying to a question asked by Deputy Tunney on 26th July last. On that occasion I said in reply to a supplementary question that discussions which were 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. The information at my disposal and on which I based that statement was I regret to say, incorrect. A limited number of night operations are taking place and will continue to take place at Dublin Airport but such operations are restricted to a minimum.
I am glad that situation has been clarified because it caused a great deal of concern in North County Dublin. The airport is now situated in an area which is rapidly developing, near the towns of Portmarnock, Malahide, Swords, St. Margaret's and other areas. Would the Minister not agree that measures which are decided upon should be strictly enforced and that there should be no jets—9 o'clock would be too early at night—from say, 12.30 a.m. to at least 7 in the morning?
Certainly there should be some restriction on night flying for jets, but as regards enforcing these procedures, the Deputy should understand that the primary concern in flying an aircraft is safety. Accepting that position, noise should be curtailed as much as possible. These procedures relate to runways, approaches to runways and so on, information of which I shall send a copy to the Deputy, but in the final analysis it is the pilot who determines how the aircraft will come in.
While I appreciate the primary concern is safety and nobody wants to endanger the lives of people travelling on these planes, I am hoping that the Minister will try to restrict the charter companies in the times of their flights. At the moment these flights take place all through the night. In order to give peace of mind to the people living in the neighbourhood of Dublin Airport, these flights should be operated during the day.
I am not sure how practical it is, but I shall have a look at it.
May I ask the Minister if there is any restriction on the time at which jet engines should be tested in the hangars in Dublin Airport?
I am sorry, I have not got that information. I shall try to get it for the Deputy and send it to him.
I am grateful to the Minister, but I would point out to him that, apart from flying, the testing of engines in the hangars at the airport can create as much noise as aeroplanes coming in or going out.
I shall get the information and send it to the Deputy.