Vol. 548 No. 2
136 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the problems caused to residents near Dublin Airport by the lack of adequate controls of times when engine testing of aircraft can take place; and if she will ensure that such activity takes place only during normal office hours to avoid sleep disturbance for most people. [4814/02]
Under sections 16 and 17, as amended by the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1998, of the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1950, the then Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, made the Airport By-Laws, 1994, S.I. No. 425/1994, which provide that the ground testing of aircraft engines at any time at State airports is prohibited, without the permission of Aer Rianta.
Since then, the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act, 1998, transferred the authority to make by-laws, including the amendment of existing by-laws to Aer Rianta. Accordingly, the regulation of noise at Dublin Airport is a matter for the company, by law.
