Airport review must consider legitimate concerns of residents – O’Brien

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Fingal, Darragh O’Brien has said that the Minister for Transport is potentially undermining the conditions granted by An Bord Pleanála to protect local residents in relation to the North runway at Dublin Airport.

The Minister stated earlier this week that any power to regulate night-time operations at the airport will now be given to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). He further added that a Cabinet review will now be undertaken to establish the demand, if any, to develop a third terminal at Dublin Airport.

Speaking following the news, Deputy O’Brien said, “I struggle to comprehend the rationale behind the Minister’s decision to grant regulative power to the IAA. An Bord Pleanála is the State’s independent, statutory, quasi-judicial body which was established to decide on appeals from planning decisions nationwide. Surely removing this authority is a challenge to the democratic process.

“Any reduction of the current restrictions on night-time use of the airport could dramatically affect those in the immediate locality. I have stated numerous times that I do not support the DAA in their decision to appeal the imposed stipulations of An Bord Pleanala outlined in 2007. I have previously called on the DAA to reconsider their application to achieve unrestricted use of the North runway.

“Minister Ross' idea of an appropriate response to the status quo is to pervert the due planning process and without engaging meaningfully with residents in St. Margarets, Malahide and neighbouring areas.

“The development of a second at Dublin Airport will allow it to grow for the benefit of the Irish economy by supporting additional trade, tourism and foreign direct investment in Ireland. I therefore fully support the expansion however; the very genuine and serious concerns of residents must be taken into account and fully protected."