Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
43. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport what engagement he has had with the Dublin Airport Authority, Fingal County Council, the Irish Aviation Authority and residents of Fingal regarding the excessive aircraft noise over residential areas, as of September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42894/23]
View answerI would like to thank the deputy for his question.
I wish to advise the deputy that I meet regularly with the CEOs of daa and the Irish Aviation Authority and have also had engagement with Fingal County Council and political representatives representing constituents who are affected by aircraft noise in their areas.
As the deputy is aware, daa has the statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport and I understand that Dublin Airport has a dedicated Community Engagement Team (CET) which is tasked with communicating through several channels with local residents impacted by airport operations.
I am advised that to date in 2023, the CET has completed over 70 home visits and one-to-one meetings with residents on various issues including airport operations, flight paths and noise monitoring. In addition, the team actively participates in six Community Liaison Group meetings and four Dublin Airport Environmental Working Group meetings each year, (all of which are independently chaired) as well as supporting and administering Dublin Airport’s voluntary dwelling purchase scheme and insulation schemes for eligible residents. daa has also increased the number of Noise Monitoring Terminals (NMTs) in place since the opening of North Runway in August 2022. At the direction of the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA), there are 15 permanent live NMTs now in place around Dublin Airport with a further 8 NMTs expected to be in place by the end of 2023. The noise levels from these NMTS are made publicly available on the daa’s flight tracking system “WebTrak,” introduced by daa in 2021 which provides a simplified way for members of the public to monitor flights and submit noise complaints.
Noise mitigation at Dublin Airport is subject to substantial regulation and oversight as well as best practice mitigation measures. These measures are designed to address long-term adverse effects of aircraft noise on health and quality of life, whilst also facilitating the sustainable development of the airport and the broader economy.
In the National Aviation Policy (2015), and in more recent decisions, the Government confirmed its support for the North Runway and the development of Dublin Airport as a hub with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets.It is important to the Government, in ensuring the sustainable development of Dublin airport, to balance the ambitions of the daa in pursuit of the objectives of the National Aviation Policy, the needs of business and tourism interests and the legitimate rights of local residents who are concerned about noise levels, particularly at night.With that in mind Government has put in place a legislative framework for managing noise at Dublin Airport. ANCA is the noise regulator and was established under the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019. Its statutory functions include:1. Monitoring the impact of aircraft noise 2. Assessing proposals for development at Dublin Airport 3. Regulating for the management of aircraft noise.In 2022, ANCA defined a Noise Abatement Objective (NAO) for Dublin Airport to manage the effects of aircraft noise emissions on the surrounding communities and environment at the airport. It gave a clear policy objective set against measurable criteria and outcomes. ANCA produces a report annually reproducing the NAO together with an inventory of the measures identified by daa to mitigate the noise impacts at Dublin Airport.ANCA commenced a review in December 2022 on the impact of aircraft noise on the communities around Dublin Airport. Through this process, ANCA will determine whether it is necessary to introduce additional noise control measures around the airport.
