Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018
80. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the interaction between his Department and Fingal County Council on his plans to establish it as the competent authority under EU 598/14. [45614/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the General Scheme of the Airport Noise Regulation Bill 2018 was published on 28 September 2018 following a Government decision in July this year and was subsequently presented to and discussed in session with the Joint Oireachtas Committee early in October, in accordance with Pre-Legislative Scrutiny arrangements. The formal Bill is being finalised and I expect to be able to present it to this House this month. I look forward to the support of Deputies when it is presented.
As part of the drafting process my officials have been in close contact with officials from Fingal County Council. I understand that this interaction has been very valuable in shaping the final form of the Bill. The Government made a decision that Fingal County Council shall be the Competent Authority for the purpose of EU Regulation 598/2014. This Government decision was based on an assessment that Fingal County Council represented the best available option for the effective implementation of the Airport Noise Regulation, given that there is significant amount of focus on the interaction between EU Regulation 598/2014, the 2002 Environmental Noise Directive and the planning and development framework. It therefore continues to make sense for Fingal County Council to be appointed to undertake this role in order to ensure a fair and consistent approach to the assessment of development and the impact of aircraft noise at Dublin Airport.
I would like to emphasise that the EU Regulation requires full public consultation before the Competent Authority makes a final decision about noise-related operating measures or restrictions at the airport, and we are working to make sure that the Bill will afford all stakeholders the opportunity to express their views. The Bill will also provide for an independent appeals process, with An Bord Pleanála to be appointed as the Appeals Body.
