asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in view of the recent appreciable increase in noise disturbance levels for those living in north city and county Dublin, he will introduce regulations to control the noise level of aircraft using Dublin Airport, without endangering the safety of passengers and crew, as has been done at many other airports.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Airport Noise Levels.
18.
As the Deputy is aware, there are procedures for noise abatement already in force at Dublin Airport. These procedures do not take the form of statutory regulations but they are operated by air traffic control and the airlines in a manner consistent with safety and the orderly flow of traffic and are designed to minimise the effects of aircraft noise in the vicinity of the airport. I do not accept that there has been a recent appreciable increase in noise levels in the areas referred to by the Deputy.
I ask the Minister to accept that there has been a recent increase. I live quite close to the airport and it is a problem that is getting worse every day, particularly with some of the newer planes used by some of the foreign companies, especially British Airways with their Tristar and Trident. It may be more of a problem on take off with foreign pilots who are not familiar with Dublin Airport.
I do not think so. The construction of all new aircraft embodies engines designed to reduce noise and pollution. When did the Deputy notice this increase?
It has been happening over the last number of weeks, within the last three or four weeks.
Work had been going on in connection with the main runway but that was six or eight weeks ago and it involved taking off and landing from different angles so that people who had not normally been in the flight path could have been affected.
I am familiar with that side of it. This is happening within the last three or four weeks. I would ask the Minister to have examined the type of regulations that are in force, for example, at Liverpool Airport where at take-off a certain reduction in engine thrust is enforced which, while not endangering passengers or crew allows sufficient power to get the aircraft off the ground.
If the Deputy could give me a specific time and plane, I should like to look into it because if the proper procedures are not followed by the airlines involved I should like to take it up with them.
Last Saturday week. Could the Minister also have the whole matter of engine testing regulated at the airport, night testing or testing after certain hours?
Certainly night testing should be avoided.
It had been stopped but it is now going on again. The towns around that area are populated mostly by young married couples with young children.
The Minister spoke of work on the main runway. Could he give any indication of the present situation of planning in regard to runways?
The Deputy is raising another matter. The question deals with noise.
I have not got the information here but the planning is proceeding—and there are CPOs on the land and negotiations are going on.
Noise disturbance arises out of the flight path followed by aircraft and flight paths are dictated by the runways, so therefore the runways are a vital part of the question, with respect.
If the Deputy wants information on that matter it might be better if he put down a question so that I can get more detailed information.
I should be glad to put down a question. Would the Minister assure me that on this occasion the information would be more accurate than the information he gave me about the closure of Dublin Airport restaurant?
We can go over that ground again if the Deputy wishes.
The point is that the restaurant is now closed.
The point is the Deputy gave me information of which I was not aware, that it was about to be closed. If the Deputy wishes to put down a question on that I shall be able to give him some very interesting figures.
But the restaurant is closed.
Would the Deputy please put down a question about the restaurant? I should be very happy to give figures in that connection.
Order.
Could the Minister say what is the exact scientific noise level permitted?
I could not say offhand. If the Deputy wishes I will send the information to him.