Written Answers. - Regional Airports.
Pat Breen
Question:
344
Mr. P. Breen
asked the
Minister for Transport
the Government Department or agency which has overall responsibility for public safety in the vicinity of State and regional airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2597/03]
Pat Breen
Question:
353
Mr. P. Breen
asked the
Minister for Transport
if the concept of red safety areas at the State airports was ever authorised by the Houses of the Oireachtas; if such areas are in conformity with international standards such as those established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2599/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 353 together.
Public safety in the vicinity of State or regional airports is primarily a matter for the local authorities in which the airport is situated. In relation to the State airports, public safety issues have been determined by reference to the so-called "red zones". The present "red zones" at Dublin Airport were formally established in 1968. The Department of Transport and Power was originally responsible for proposing the establishment of the zones, which were approved and incorpor ated in the local authorities' development plans, and development within those "red zones" is controlled by the local authorities through the Planning Acts. The present dimensions of the "red zones" were established in 1968 and were designed to safeguard the then existing and planned runways both for the purposes of ICAO safety standards and for wider public safety reasons. Consequently, they are in conformity with ICAO standards.
The Department of Transport, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment and Local Government, has commissioned consultants to make recommendations for public safety zones in the vicinity of Cork, Dublin and Shannon Airports. The recommendations of the consultants, ERM, will specifically deal with the risk to people on the ground, and will make use of the latest techniques in risk assessment. ERM's study is nearly complete. Before their report is finalised, ERM will engage in public consultation on their report, including public meetings in Dublin, Cork and Shannon. The public consultation is expected to take place before Easter this year.
When the report is completed following the public consultation, it is the intention that the Department of the Environment and Local Government will issue planning guidelines based on the public safety zones to the local authorities to assist them in their consideration of the public safety aspects of planning applications in the vicinity of airports. The existing red zones, which deal with the need to avoid developments which could prove to be an obstacle to aircraft taking off or landing at the airports, will continue to be administered by the Irish Aviation Authority and invoked by them as necessary in making representations to the planning authorities about development which would be contrary to aviation safety.
