Vol. 547 No. 1
208 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she is satisfied that sufficient safety measures are in place at Dublin Airport to ensure that aircraft taking off or landing do not pose a hazard to the densely populated areas around the airport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1807/02]
The Irish Aviation Authority was established with effect from 1 January 1994 pursuant to the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993, to exercise powers and functions in relation to safety of air navigation services and regulation of safety at airports in the State. When consulted about proposed developments in the so-called red zones, the IAA advises the planning authorities of any conflict with international aviation safety requirements, and also draws their attention to increased public safety risks in those areas.
The Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act, 1998, requires Aer Rianta to take all proper measures for safety, security, management, control, regulation, operation, marketing and development of its airports. In discharge of that statutory duty, it is a matter for Aer Rianta to decide what representations, if any, it should make to the relevant planning authorities in respect of proposed developments within or in proximity to the State airports.
The planning authorities have the normal statutory responsibility to regulate development in their area. In doing this, they take account of a wide variety of concerns, including public safety.
The red zones at airports were developed in the 1960s to indicate to the local authorities the areas in which development may need to be restricted, in the interests of aviation safety specifically, and public safety generally. The red zones have traditionally had two functions, namely the aviation safety function of avoiding developments which potentially, because of their height, may interfere with safe take-off and landing of aircraft, but also avoiding developments which, because of their location, would add to public safety risks to people on the ground.
This Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment and Local Government, has commissioned consultants to make recommendations for public safety zones in the vicinity of Dublin Airport. The recommendations of the consultants, ERM will specifically deal with the risk to people on the ground.
The work, when completed, will clarify that the primary agency in relation to aviation safety assessments will continue to be the Irish Aviation Authority, whereas the primary agency in assessing public safety risks will be the relevant planning authority itself. In any event, the planning authorities in accordance with their own statutory obligations, and ultimately, An Bord Pleanála, will continue to decide whether specific developments in the vicinity of airports receive planning permission.
When the study is completed, the Department of the Environment and Local Government will issue planning guidelines in accordance with the Planning Acts to the local authorities to assist them in their consideration of the public safety aspects of planning applications in the vicinity of airports.
