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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 3

Written Answers. - State Airports.

Pat Breen

Question:

352 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if his attention was drawn to the general contents of the recent "Prime Time" programme of 5 December 2002 on Aer Rianta's perceived double standards in relation to planning, property development and aeronautical safety matters in the vicinity of Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2598/03]

Aer Rianta has a statutory duty under the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998 to manage and develop the State airports, including Dublin airport. Planning issues relating to development proposed in the vicinity of Dublin airport are a matter for the relevant planning authority, in this case Fingal County Council. Arising from its statutory remit, it is the policy of the Irish Aviation Authority to formally object to the grant of planning permission for any development affecting an airport that it considers would infringe international safety standards.

In relation to the specific matters raised in the Deputy's question, it is open to any person who feels they have a case to pursue to avail of the remedies available including, where appropriate, action through the courts. The Deputy may wish to note that consultants, commissioned by my Department in conjunction with the Department of the Environment and Local Government, are currently finalising a study on the development of public safety zones in the vicinity of Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports. The recommendations of the consultants will deal specifically with the risks to people on the ground by providing guidance to local authorities and individuals contemplating development in the vicinity of State airports. These public safety zones will differ from the existing so-called red zones, which deal with the avoidance of obstacles to aircraft taking off or landing at the airports and which will continue to be administered by the Irish Aviation Authority.

Question No. 353 answered with Question No. 344.

Pat Breen

Question:

354 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if Aer Rianta ever operated unauthorised commercial car parks within the red safety area of runway 11/29 and on the grass area beside FLS Aerospace during any of the past ten years; if so, the years in question together with the approximate capacity of such car parks and the proximity of the nearest point to the runway threshold; if they were approximately similar to the recently proposed Gannon car park within the red zone of runway 16/34, in respect of overall area and distance from the thresholds of the respective runways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2600/03]

The issues which the Deputy has raised are matters for Aer Rianta and the planning authorities, and are not matters in which I have a function.

Pat Breen

Question:

355 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if a green belt for 2.5 miles around the airport was designated at Dublin Airport in the 1940s; if so, the Act, regulation or order under which it was established; if this green belt still exists or has been revoked; if so, the means by which; if the presence of such a green belt resulted in the shelving of a proposed sanatorium at Santry County in 1947; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2601/03]

Planning issues such as green belts, to which the Deputy has referred, fall within the remit of the local authorities and An Bord Pleanála.

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