State Airports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 June 2010

Tuesday, 1 June 2010

Ceisteanna (415)

Pat Breen

Ceist:

433 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 365 of 25 May 2010, his views on whether the relevant local authorities around the three State airports have been premature by incorporating the proposed public safety zones in their respective development plans in the absence of the long overdue guidelines from his Department and more pertinently from his recent confirmation that the designation of such zones will require primary legislation; his further views on the legality or otherwise of such hasty and ill advised action on the part of the said local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23380/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)

As previously stated in the reply to Question No. 320 of 11 May 2010, I am advised that the designation of public safety zones around Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports requires primary legislation. The mechanism by which these legislative changes can be introduced is under consideration by my Department in consultation with the Department of Transport and the Office of the Attorney General.

In the interim, I believe that the incorporation of proposed Public Safety Zones in the relevant plans is an appropriate step by the local authorities concerned.