Vol. 520 No. 2
135 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will ensure that airports are obliged to adhere to normal planning requirements when intending to construct a runway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15579/00]
The construction of a runway would be development within the meaning of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 and would therefore require planning permission in the normal way. It should be noted that Aer Rianta has written to my Department in relation to the application of the planning system to development within airports generally and officials from my Department have agreed to meet Aer Rianta to discuss this matter. However, I do not consider that these discussions would result in changes to the requirements to obtain planning permission for the construction of new runways or the material extension of existing runways.
