Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jun 1999

Vol. 505 No. 6

Written Answers. - Aircraft Noise Levels.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

91 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if effective legislation to control the levels of noise made by aircraft taking off and landing at airports will be introduced; the current position in this regard; the proposals, if any, the EU has to deal with this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14309/99]

The regulations which apply in Ireland to aircraft noise levels are contained in the European Communities (Restriction of Civil sub-sonic Jet Aeroplane Operations) Regulations, 1993 (S.I. No. 130 of 1993). These regulations give effect to the provisions of EU Council Directive 92/14/EEC affecting the operation of certain categories of sub-sonic jet aeroplanes within the territories of the member states. Council Directive 98/20/EC which amends Directive 92/14/EEC is currently being transposed into Irish law.

The combined effect of Council Directives 92/14/EEC and 98/20/EC means that aircraft are not permitted to operate at an airport within the state as from 1 April 1995, unless there is in force in respect of that aeroplane a noise certificate, certifying that the noise made by that aeroplane is not greater than the noise levels specified in Part II, Chapter 3, volume 1 of Annex 16 (2nd Edition, 1988) to the Chicago Convention.

EC Council Regulation 925/1999 on the registration and operation within the Community of certain types of civil subsonic jet aeroplanes which have been modified and recertificated as meeting the standards of volume 1, Part II, Chapter 3 of Annex 16 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation was adopted on 29 April 1999. The effect of this regulation is to restrict the operation within the European Union of hush-kitted aircraft which meet ICAO Chapter III noise levels.

The EU Council decided to delay the application of this regulation by one year from 29 April 1999. This delay is to facilitate the continuation and conclusion of consultations between the EU and the US with a view to establishing a joint EU/US position on noise rules.

Barr
Roinn