Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2017
506. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when legislation will be in place for the Irish Aviation Authority to become the noise regulator for the State's airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48820/17]
View answerAs I advised the Dáil on October 11 this year, it has been determined, based on the most recent legal advices provided to me through the Office of the Attorney General, that the Irish Aviation Authority is not an approporiate body to act as the Competent Authority for the purposes of EU Regulation 598/2014. This represented a departure from previous legal advices which had provided the basis for pursing the option of nominating the IAA as the Competent Authority, but I understand it was influenced in particular by developments in European case law. Whilst it is a dissapointing development, I can assure the Deputy that the appointment of an appropriate Competent Authority is a high priority for me and for my Department. I will continue to keep the Dáil informed of developments in this regard.
