Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is a question about the Coast Guard and I will reciprocate the Deputy's sincere comments, with the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's indulgence, when the question arises. I echo the Deputy's comments in the meantime and it is of course a very sad day for the nation and people of all political parties. Sympathies must go to the families.

I thank Deputy Troy for putting this question. The statutory instrument has not been completed. EU Regulation No. 598/2014 entered into force in June 2016 and is directly applicable in the State.  Key stakeholders were consulted in 2012 on the draft of this regulation proposed by the European Commission for the purposes of informing Ireland's negotiating position in the European Union legislative process.  The regulation represents a shift in responsibility for aircraft noise from the airport operator to a separate, independent statutory entity or competent authority that will be required to oversee the delivery of the new, more prescriptive approach to aircraft noise management.  As the Deputy is aware, I have already announced that I am appointing the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, as the competent authority to deal with aircraft noise management at Dublin Airport.

Officials in my Department are currently engaged with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in order to finalise the details of the statutory instrument that will transpose EU Regulation 598/2014.  Whereas I fully recognise and regret that the legislative requirements to give full effect to this regulation have been delayed, I reassure the Deputy that the reason for the delay is to ensure that the introduction of the new noise regulatory regime is robust and fit for purpose.  Before any decisions are taken on noise-related operating restrictions at Dublin Airport, consultation will be undertaken by the competent authority with all interested parties. My Department has during the course of the drafting process consulted the Irish Aviation Authority and the DAA, given their key interests as prospective competent authority and sole regulated entity.  The draft statutory instrument is nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to sign off on this important piece of legislation in the coming weeks.

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