Vol. 537 No. 5
175 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the commercial premises located within the red safety zone at Dublin Airport; if Aer Rianta has a commercial or social role in any of these premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16778/01]
Planning in the vicinity of Dublin Airport is a matter for Fingal County Council and in that regard certain areas of land in the approaches to the runways have been designated in the Fingal county development plan for many years as so-called red zones. These are areas in which physical structures, if erected, might interfere with the take off and landing of aircraft at the airport.
I understand from Aer Rianta that there are a number of private sector commercial enterprises located within these areas around Dublin Airport. These either preceded the development of the runways or were granted planning permission subsequently by the planning authorities. The company informs me that there are also a small number of commercial developments and social facilities located within the red zones on land owned by Aer Rianta.
I also refer the Deputy to my response today to Question No. 176 on the designation of public safety zones at Dublin and other airports. Public safety zones are a different concept to the long standing red zones.
176 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans she has to extend the remit of consultants making recommendations for public safety zones near Dublin Airport to consideration of areas contiguous to Shannon Airport. [16779/01]
In January 2001, a working group established by my Department and the Department of the Environment and Local Government engaged consultants to recommend specific public safety zones in the environs of Dublin Airport together with appropriate control measures on the nature of development or activity within those zones.
The work of the consultants is nearing completion and the working group expects to receive a final report shortly. It is expected that the process of defining public safety zones for the vicinity of Dublin Airport will also yield methodologies for defining similar zones for other Irish airports but the timescale for extending this work to other airports has not been settled.
Question No. 177 answered with Question No. 174.
178 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the action which was taken to ensure compliance with Rule 3 - IAA Rules of Air Order S.I. No. 20 of 1999 - on 20 February 2000, when a major sporting event was held in or close to the red zone or public safety zone, at Dublin Airport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16838/01]
The issue which the Deputy has raised falls within the remit of the Irish Aviation Authority. I have no function in relation to this matter.
179 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will require Aer Rianta to provide facilities for consultation for airport users, relevant local authorities and residents of areas close to airports; if she will arrange for the setting up of formal consultative committees or fora for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16839/01]
Aer Rianta informs me that it already consults widely with interested parties, including airport users, local authorities and local residents on issues relating to the development of the three State airports. I am advised by Aer Rianta that it operates an open door policy at all three airports and the company is happy and willing to meet with any interested party to discuss issues of concern in relation to the airports.
