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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 4

Written Answers. - Noise Pollution.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

241 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the need to have aircraft engine noise covered under legislation by the EPA and to have the EPA govern engine-testing rather than Aer Rianta. [13118/03]

Responsibility for the regulation of aircraft noise rests with the Minister for Transport. I understand the regulations that apply in Ireland to aircraft noise are promulgated at international level by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and by the EU. I also understand the ground testing of aircraft engines at any time at State airports is prohibited without the permission of Aer Rianta under the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1950 (as amended), and that a noise management strategy for Dublin Airport, prepared for Aer Rianta in 2000, addresses the issue of noise from aircraft power plant test running.

In addition, under the First Schedule of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, an integrated pollution control licence is required to test engines, turbines or reactors where the floor area exceeds 500 square metres. In terms of future noise policy, EU Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise, to be transposed into law by 2004, requires, inter alia, the making by June 2007 of strategic noise maps for airports with more than 50,000 take-off or landing movements per year. My Department is in ongoing discussions with the relevant local and transport sector authorities, including Aer Rianta and the Department of Transport, regarding implementation of the relevant requirements of the directive. In view of that, I have no plans to amend legislation regarding aircraft engine noise or testing.

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