Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2004
436 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if the historic designation of massive red zones at Irish Airports, as exemplified by lengths of 3,048 metres at either end of Dublin's main runway 10/28, is a classic example of regulatory capture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4970/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI do not accept that there was any element of regulatory capture in the establishment of the red zones. They were put in place for reasons of safety of aviation navigation, and for safety of the public on the ground.
437 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that current proposals to designate further massive public safety zones at Irish airports, as exemplified by proposed inner and outer zones with respective lengths of 3,155 and 11,455 metres on main runway 10/28 at Dublin Airport, would be a suitable and appropriate scheme for the piloting of a regulatory impact analysis, RIA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4971/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have indicated to the House on previous occasions the purpose of the public safety zones study is to establish appropriate arrangements to protect people on the ground in an unlikely event of an aircraft accident. Environmental resources management, ERM, who conducted the study, fully consulted the public and the relevant local authorities before finalising their recommendations. Consequently I am satisfied that there is no requirement for a regulatory impact assessment.
The report has not yet been submitted to Government and, if the Deputy wishes to write to me with his views on the appropriate balance between the need to protect the public, on the one hand, and the need to facilitate property development on the other, I will be happy to take them into account.
438 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 480 of 16 December 2003, the precise period or periods that red zones have respectively operated as three-dimensional surfaces in the sky and as two-dimensional surfaces on the ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4972/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I indicated in my reply on 18 November 2003, red zones were formally established in 1968. On further examination it is not possible to provide a more precise date. Red zones have always had the dual purpose of aviation safety and public safety.
439 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport , further to Question No. 343 of 18 November 2003 relating to the three runways at Dublin Airport, the respective sizes of the first section of the obstacle surface on the approach to each of the runways at Cork and Shannon Airports with particular reference to inner and outer widths, slope, divergence and length; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4973/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I indicated in reply to Questions Nos. 184 to 186 inclusive on 3 December 2003 and Questions Nos. 340 to 345 inclusive on 18 November 2003, these are detailed technical questions which are the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority.
440 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if a safeguarding map has been prepared in respect of every runway at each of the State airports; if all such safeguarding maps have been formally submitted to the respective planning authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4974/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe submission of safeguarding maps is a matter for Aer Rianta.
