There is no statutory requirement for the monitoring of noise emissions from aeroplanes at Weston Aerodrome. My Department has responsibility for implementing European legislation relating to noise emissions from civil subsonic jet aeroplanes, which are large commercial jet aircraft. These regulations-directives apply to civil airports that have more than 50,000 movements of civil subsonic jet aeroplanes per year. As the aircraft using Weston, a privately owned aerodrome, are smaller aircraft mostly engaged in training, leisure or general aviation, this aerodrome does not come within the scope of this European legislation.
The Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, is responsible for the safety regulation of the Irish aviation industry. Weston Aerodrome has been operating as an aerodrome since 1938. In recent years, the development of Lucan has pushed large residential areas quite close to Weston Aerodrome. With a view to limiting the noise impact on residential areas, Weston Aerodrome introduced procedures for pilots in relation to the flight paths and altitudes. I understand that in response to a similar question put to the Department for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Minister outlined the roles of local authorities with regard to this matter.
