Vol. 428 No. 1
405 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the concern in the Blanchardstown area of County Dublin at noise disturbance from low flying aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As far as I am aware there are relatively few complaints about aircraft noise in the Blanchardstown area.
In the last two years, since Runway 28 came into operation at Dublin Airport, there has been a substantial decrease in flights over the Blanchardstown area. Jet aircraft en route to Dublin Airport do not normally cross this area and only some 10 per cent of departing aircraft use a flight path which would bring them close to the area. Furthermore, all departing aircraft must be at a minimum height of 1,500 feet before turning onto this flight path and must also adhere to special aircraft departure procedures introduced by my Department. All of these procedures, as well as my Department's regulations on the flying of aircraft over populated areas, are kept under constant review and are designed to ensure the safe navigation of aircraft and minimise noise pollution.
