Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019
224. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered appointing the Environmental Protection Agency as the aircraft noise regulator as required by EU regulation 598/2014 in view of its role and associated expertise as the national authority under the European Environmental Noise Directive, EC 2002/49/EC. [2176/19]
View answerOnce it became clear that the Irish Aviation Authority was no longer an option to be designated as the Noise Regulator for the purpose of EU Regulation 598/2014, a number of other options were considered.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was considered. The regulatory requirements in Regulation 598 are very different to the existing oversight, licencing, audit and inspection roles of the EPA. While it has an existing role pursuant to the European Environmental Noise Directive the role of Noise Regulator as required by Regulation 598 would represent a step change that would require significant new resources and expertise.
It was clear that whichever body was chosen would need to build up new capacity to carry out what is an entirely new function. The decision was therefore heavily influenced by which bodies already had some of the required capabilities and structures and which also could be expected to build up the other requirements within a reasonable timeframe. Given the close inter-relationship with the Planning and Development Act, the Government decided upon Fingal County Council as the most appropriate body to carry out this function. I have every confidence in the suitability and capacity of Fingal County Council to carry out this important role.
