Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2018
568. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the decision was made to appoint Fingal County Council as the independent noise regulator for Dublin Airport; the international noise pollution standards that are to be adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6845/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, it was previously proposed that the Irish Aviation Authority would be designated as the Noise Regulator for the purpose of EU Regulation 598/14. However, as I explained in the Dáil before Christmas, when this approach was subject to final legal review it was found to be difficult in light of emerging EU case law. These legal advices forced a re-examination of options for the full implementation of the EU Regulation, which involved discussions between my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Climate Change and Environment. Having examined the requirements of the EU Regulation it was considered, on balance, that Fingal County Council, with An Bord Pleanála as an independent appeals body, offered the best way forward.
The Government has endorsed that proposed course of action, and I now intend to get on with implementing it.
As regards the standards, the EU Regulation - which came into effect in 2016 - provides Member States with a common framework for applying internationally agreed best practices in the area of aviation noise management. With reference to methodology agreed at the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation, the Regulation seeks to ensure that airport capacity is developed in a measured and balanced way, with due regard to economic growth, jobs, prosperity and the mitigation of environmental impacts.
The Regulation will now be implemented by way of primary legislation, which will set out how airport noise is to be measured, managed and monitored at Dublin Airport into the future.
