Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 September 2016
267. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the arrangements that exist in other EU countries regarding the competent authority designated to deal with EU Regulation No. 598/2014; and the analysis he made of the practice in other jurisdictions, prior to awarding this function to the IAA. [27920/16]
View answerGiven that three of the four constituent elements of the Balanced Approach for airport noise management, as developed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), are aviation-related with the remaining one relating to land-use planning and management, it was considered that a dedicated body, with expert knowledge of aircraft technology as well as airport and air navigation operations, was the principal decision criterion in this instance and essential to fulfil the various regulatory tasks satisfactorily. Although no one entity in Ireland possesses the entire range of expertise and knowledge to implement internally all elements of the ICAO Balanced Approach, given the particular relevance of aviation expertise, it was considered that the Irish Aviation Authority was best placed to discharge the regulatory responsibilities involved.
Information obtained from the European Commission indicates that other Member States are following a similar approach as in most of the cases notified to the European Commission national civil aviation authorities are being designated for the role of competent authority for EU Regulation 598-2014.
