Vol. 519 No. 5
115 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the regulations that apply in Ireland in respect of aircraft noise and heights over built up residential areas; if stricter regulations apply over London; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14153/00]
The regulations that apply in Ireland to aircraft noise over built up residential areas are those which have been promulgated at European Union level. Such regulations impose common standards in all member states, including the United Kingdom. In respect of noise, the current EU directive in force is Council Directive 92/14/EEC on the operation of certain categories of sub-sonic jet aeroplanes within the territories of the member states. Council Directive 98/20/EC and Commission Directive 1999/28/EC which amends Directive 92/14/EEC are currently being transposed into Irish law.
The combined effect of these directives means that aircraft are not permitted to operate at an airport within the State as from 1 April 1995, issued by the relevant authority – in Ireland's case the Irish Aviation Authority – unless there is in force in respect of that aeroplane a noise certificate, certifying that the noise made by that aeroplane is not greater than the noise levels specified in Part II, Chapter 3, volume 1 of Annex 16 (3rd Edition, 1993) to the Chicago Convention.
EC Council Regulation 925/1999 on the registration and operation within the community of certain types of civil subsonic jet aeroplanes which have been modified and recertificated as meeting the standards of volume 1, Part II, Chapter 3 of Annex 16 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation was adopted on 29 April 1999, and came into force on 4 May last. The effect of this regulation is to restrict the operation within the European Union of hush-kitted aircraft which meet ICAO Chapter III noise levels.
