Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 6, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following:" "Balanced Approach" means both the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) agreed hierarchy of measures designated to reduce the adverse impact of aircraft noise on those living in the vicinity of an airport and the recommendations for aircraft noise published in the World Health Organisation’s report Night Noise Guidelines for Europe 2018;".

This amendment and the wider grouping relate to the level of noise that constitutes noise pollution. I welcome residents of Dublin Fingal to the Public Gallery. As the Minister can see, this is a significant issue for people who live near Dublin Airport. Some of the points addressed by the amendments were originally made on Second and Committee Stages. Residents had hoped that the Minister would incorporate some of our requests in the Bill. Many will find it strange to discover that he is not concerned with using the most up-to-date standards.

The amendments seek a balanced approach incorporating the World Health Organization, WHO, guidelines on noise pollution. It has emphasised the impact of noise pollution, particularly night flights, on the health of local residents. Although most residents want the airport to expand and be developed, they are unable to open their windows at night or in the early morning because of the increased usage of flight paths over their houses.

Noise pollution is the second most dangerous environmental hazard to people's health. This is not likely to be taken for granted. The health effects can put an intolerable strain on healthcare systems and lead to loss of productivity among workers whose sleep is disturbed and health affected. The amendment simply requests that a balanced approach taking account of the WHO guidelines be incorporated into the legislation.

I suspect that the Minister is putting the interests of commerce and businesses above people's health. The noise mapping carried out indicates that areas of my constituency of Dublin West such as Tyrrelstown, Hollystown, Hollywoodrath, Mulhuddart and The Ward are significantly impacted by this problem, as are parts of Dublin Fingal. The residents are asking the Minister to accept that their health is as important as the ability of planes to traverse the skies. I do not know why he is being so stubborn on this issue. One would think that he would want people's health to be taken into consideration but it seems that airline profits are to be put above the health of residents. Nobody is asking for flights to end but, rather, that the WHO guidelines be taken into account. One of the noise maps indicates that readings more than 10 dB above what WHO recommended levels are a regular feature for residents of Tyrrellstown and Hollywoodrath. Many Deputies pointed out on Committee Stage that it is not in the interests of travellers to have flights at all hours of the day and night. This issue can be managed. I ask the Minister to take on board the points I have made.

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