Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 December 2016
34. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals he has made to the DAA in relation to dealing with the fact that night time airport charges are reduced, effectively encouraging extra traffic at a time when it has the most impact on nearby residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38675/16]
View answerThe question stems from a discussion on the previous Question Time when I brought to his attention that in contrast to the activities of other similarly sized airports, which operate a policy of differential charges to deter night-time aircraft, the DAA actively promotes it. The Minister expressed surprise at the time and said he would look into it. What proposals does he now have to deal with the fact that the DAA incentivises night-time flights?
As the Deputy will be aware, the DAA has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport. I have made no proposals to the DAA on airport charges, as the setting of such charges at Dublin Airport, within the regulatory framework established by statute, is an operational matter for the DAA.
The Commission for Aviation Regulation, CAR, regulates airport charges levied at Dublin Airport. CAR's determinations on airport charges take the form of price cap regulation, whereby a maximum average charge per passenger is established. Within the limits of the overall price cap, the DAA sets variable annual charges in respect of specific services such as runway landing and take-off and aircraft parking.
The DAA has informed my officials that discounts for departures in the 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. period have recently been introduced. Deputy Daly is correct. The early morning discounts were initiated as a direct result of the capacity shortages currently being experienced at the airport. The move is designed to maximise efficiencies of the existing runway infrastructure, a stated action for all airports, as set out in the national aviation policy published by my Department in 2015.
As the Deputy knows, I recently announced my intention to designate the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, pursuant to EU Regulation 598/2014, to undertake the process to be followed when considering the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports. The implementing legislation, currently in preparation by my Department, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, will require the IAA to undertake a review of the noise situation at Dublin Airport immediately following commencement of this legislation. As part of this review, the legislation will require the IAA to consult all key stakeholders, including environmental authorities, local residents and business interests, prior to making any decision on operating restrictions at the airport.
It is precisely because of the imminent changes at Dublin Airport that the residents are particularly concerned about the impact of noise and the manner in which the authorities deal with the issue.
The Minister should forgive me but he appears to be a little bit more muzzled than he was when I previously asked the question, when he expressed his immediate gut reaction of horror that an airport authority would actively incentivise bad practice environmental standards that would have an impact on adjoining residents. He has confirmed that he has checked out the information and the point to which his attention was drawn is accurate. This is not just something that happened recently. The pre-6 a.m. discount is now in place without further notice and it is being extended indefinitely. There is also a Dublin Airport congestion alleviation scheme, which is slightly different. We also have very noisy aircraft from Ethiopian Airlines. There are no noise limits, night-time quotas or auxiliary power unit bans. All those are mechanisms whereby the Minister could intervene, as the Minister responsible for the authority, and say that is not good environmental practice and it is intruding on the neighbours. Other airport authorities can proactively use the mechanisms I outlined to have a more sustainable development. I put it to the Minister again that it is within his remit to come up with proposals.
I do not feel more muzzled. I regret if the reply is not satisfactory. Nobody has done more in terms of meeting the residents who live close to the airport and passing on their views about the noise regime in which they find themselves currently.
The Deputy should be aware that this is just in the 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. period, which arguably is night time. It is a massive and further inconvenience for the residents who have had an intolerable time in terms of noise. That is why, as the Deputy is aware, I have appointed the IAA to take over noise regulation in a totally independent way. It is a group which not only has an understanding of the residents but will be obliged to consult with them, as the DAA has done. It also understands the requirements of the airport. I look forward to a new noise regime in the airport. I think I have made it perfectly clear in the past that sometimes I find it very difficult to accept the attitudes of some of the State monopolies to people who are vulnerable.
The discounts are given in various blocks depending on the scheme. It is not just the hour the Minister mentioned, the hours range from 11 p.m. to 5.59 a.m.
I am disappointed with the Minister's response because he said he will not make any proposals whatsoever. The IAA has been appointed following EU regulations not out of concern for residents adjoining Dublin Airport. I put it to the Minister that in an airport such as Gatwick, for example, take-off and landing charges vary, depending on how much noise an aircraft emits. That is a standard which the Minister could introduce. It is not about the amount charged or the manner in which an airport authority does it, it is about having a proactive policy of protecting adjoining residents. There is a litany of mechanisms in the 17 similarly sized airports to Dublin Airport. There is a range of issues.
We do not need to reinvent the wheel. These things need to implemented and it is very regrettable that the Minister has not seen fit to exercise his powers a bit more forcefully.
A new regime and a statutory instrument will come in very shortly, hopefully, in the new year. When it comes in, the IAA will undoubtedly undertake a review of the noise situation at Dublin Airport. It will not be the same situation where a State monopoly dominated all action at the airport up to now and with whom the residents have had contact but have not had what they describe as satisfactory contact.
