DAA must rethink appeal of An Bord Pleanála conditions – O’Brien

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Fingal and Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade has raised his concerns regarding the Dublin Airport Authority’s decision to seek an amendment to the conditions from An Bord Pleanála to secure unrestricted use of a second runway at the airport.

Speaking on the issue, Deputy O’Brien said, “On Monday, I was happy to meet with the Dublin Airport Authority together with colleagues from the Oireachtas and members of community groups representing Portmarnock, Malahide and Swords. The feedback from the residents of St Margaret's and The Ward was also raised. It was an important opportunity to engage with the various stakeholders and interests associated with these plans.

“One of conditions laid down by An Bord Pleanála when the planning permission was granted in 2007, stipulated that the total number of night-time flights at the airport cannot exceed 65 between 11pm and 7am once the new runway is built and that take-off and landing times were to be restricted to between 7am and 11pm.

“I am concerned that the airport authority now intends to enter a process to address these two conditions. I would like to make clear that I do not support the DAA in their decision to appeal and am therefore calling on the DAA to reconsider their application to achieve unrestricted use of the North runway.

“Since 2004, I have consistently supported the development of the airport. The airport is a major employer in North Dublin and the new runway has the capacity to create thousands of additional jobs, which I welcome.

“This project will allow the airport 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 development and expansion of the North Runway at Dublin Airport however; the very genuine and serious concerns of residents must be taken into account,” Deputy O’Brien concluded.
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