asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will update the Air Transport Act, 1936 to ensure that persons affected by aircraft noise in their homes adjacent to airports can be compensated for the cost of insulating their homes against such noise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Updating of Air Transport Legislation.
15.
There are no plans at present to update the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1936, to provide for compensation towards the cost of insulating houses in the vicinity of airports against aircraft noise.
In this context, however, the Deputy may wish to note that following detailed consideration of the question of noise insulation for houses in the immediate vicinity of the new runway at Dublin Airport, Aer Rianta were asked earlier this year to undertake a programme of insulation of houses which had been identified as coming within the internationally accepted noise intrusion limits. This process is ongoing and the level of insulation required is being negotiated with the residents on an individual basis. I can assure the Deputy that an adequate level of insulation is being provided in all cases.
Much of the disturbance caused by aircraft noise is being progressively eliminated. Two EC Directives which have been given effect in Irish law already prohibit the operation of non-hush kitted aircraft to and from Irish airports. This process is ongoing and a further EC Directive which is due to come into effect next year will prohibit the addition of aircraft to an operator's fleet unless they meet even more stringent noise requirements.
The Minister will be aware of the detailed submission made by St. Margaret's Community Council who commissioned their own experts in acoustics and sound installation. The Minister says that adequate insulation is being installed in the houses. Since 21 June Dublin Airport has opened the new runway 1128, causing tremendous inconvenience for the residents in the St. Margret's Community Council area. Their day-to-day lives are being disrupted, their outdoor activities hindered and communication is being interfered with by noise levels.
The Deputy is embarking on a long statement. Let us proceed by way of relevant and brief supplementaries.
It is important to recognise that Dublin Airport is growing very rapidly.
The Deputy is continuing to make a statement.
Planes coming in on this new runway are causing tremendous noise polution problems for people in the immediate area. Would the Minister agree that the level of insulation proposed by Aer Rianta is insufficient and has been proved to be so by independently commissioned reports?
St. Margaret's Community Council have carried out their own survey and are seeking substantially increased levels of insulation in their houses, including double and secondary glazing, extensive roof insulation, air conditioning in some cases, inner and outer wall insulation and double glazed porch doors. Aer Rianta estimate the cost of these extensive insulation measures would average £20,000 for each house. I am not in a position to proceed with that.
The question related to airports in general. Would the Minister agree that people living in the Tallaght/Clondalkin area and generally in the west of the city might equally suffer from the use of Baldonnel Aerodrome and that any consideration given to people adjacent to Dublin Airport might also be given to people in these areas?
If the Deputy were on this side of the House he would be as cautious on this as I have to be. We could reach a position where aircraft noise was being heard in every house in the country. Aer Rianta have finished their survey. They identified about 100 houses that came within what is known as the internationally accepted noise intrusion limit. If a house comes within that limit, Aer Rianta will discuss it with them; if it is outside the limit Aer Rianta will not be in a position to discuss it.
Given the St. Margaret's problem and that the Minister has basically passed the ball to Aer Rianta to resolve it, given the major difference that exists between the vast majority of the residents and Aer Rianta and also that the amount of money made available to Aer Rianta is totally inadequate, will the Minister state that the necessary money will be made available through his Department or through Aer Rianta to insulate adequately the dwellings in question? There is a big gap between Aer Rianta and the residents and that problem will have to be resolved before the airport comes into full operation at the end of the year.
Aer Rianta's acoustics experts advise them that the insulation being provided, which has been accepted by half the applicants so far, is more than on a par with the best insulation schemes available at comparable airports in the UK. I could not recommend to Aer Rianta that they expend sums in the order of £20,000 to insulate each house. That would not be justified. They are trying to be as humane, helpful and flexible as they can on an individual household by household basis.
Would the Minister consider publishing the relevant tables of the internationally accepted noise pollution limits so that people living in areas other than those immediately adjacent to Dublin Airport might be enabled to ascertain exactly where they stand? Is the Minister aware that there have been a considerable number of complaints even with regard to training flights in respect of which people feel they should receive a degree of compensation for this source of pollution?
These internationally accepted noise intrusion limits are very technical as the Deputy will appreciate. Any householder who feels intrusion in his case may come within those limits can be furnished with that information by my Department or Aer Rianta. I will certainly examine that matter.