Airport review must balance the needs of Dublin Airport with the concerns of residents

​Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Fingal, Darragh O’Brien has called on the Minister for Transport to ensure that Fingal County Council are provided with every necessary support as the new independent Noise Regulator for Dublin Airport.


Despite Minister Shane Ross previously indicating that three other entities would take on the role, he announced his decision to appoint Fingal County Council earlier this week.

Speaking following yesterday’s announcement, Deputy O’Brien said, “I struggle to comprehend the rationale behind the Minister’s decision to ignore an EU Directive which clearly stated that any review should be conducted by an independent Noise Regulator.


“Instead, Minister Ross has announced that Fingal County Council will take on the role instead. It is absolutely crucial that Fingal County Council have the capability and expertise to review the impact of the noise on neighbouring areas.

“For progress to be made on constructing a second runway at Dublin Airport a competent Noise Regulator is needed to ensure that the concerns of local residents living near Dublin Airport are taken on board and addressed.


He added, “It was first indicated that the Environmental Protection Agency would undertake the role of Noise Regulator for the airport; he then claimed that the Irish Aviation Authority would take on the role and have it completed by the end of 2016.


“Until this week it was my understanding that the Commission for Energy Regulation would be noise regulator.


“This chopping and changing indicates that the Minister’s preparations for a second runway at Dublin Airport have become farcical.

“Minister Ross' idea of engaging meaningfully with residents in North County Dublin has fallen far short of expectations.


“He has an obligation now to assure residents that the designated Noise Regulator will have the full and adequate resources to carry out its role before the process is delayed any further.
 
“It’s imperative that a second runway at Dublin Airport is brought into operation by 2021. In order to achieve this we need to ensure that the designated Noise Regulator can carry out its task while taking into account the very genuine and serious concerns of residents,”