Vol. 518 No. 6
172 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will ensure that Aer Rianta carry out noise assessments in the area of Dublin Airport and the surrounding communities; her view on the fact that Aer Rianta sought to install equipment during 1999 but, because of the lack of resources, could not carry out these noise assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13009/00]
Aer Rianta, in common with many other major European airport authorities, have been aware for some time of the need to design and implement a noise management strategy. The first part of such a noise management strategy is to have a comprehensive review carried out taking account of the location of the airport, type of aircraft in use, schedule of arrivals and departures and, most importantly, the location and configuration of local communities.
This comprehensive review, undertaken by a leading noise specialist on behalf of Aer Rianta, was started in mid-1999 and has now been completed. The draft report has been received by Aer Rianta with a view to implementing its recommendations. The draft report does indeed recommend that noise monitoring equipment be installed at various appropriate locations both within the immediate environments of the airport and at more distant points.
The recent completion of the review paves the way for the procurement and installation of the necessary equipment which obviously will take some time. When installed and operational, this will provide valuable information on the noise profile in the vicinity of Dublin Airport.
