Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

I thank all of the Deputies for their contributions today, the points they have raised and Deputy Smith for bringing this important topic to the House. As set out in my earlier remarks, the Government fully recognises the importance of having an open and transparent noise regulation system. The development of Dublin Airport in a sustainable manner that considers the impact on local communities is something for which the Minister for Transport has always strongly advocated. The Minister has committed to ensuring all relevant agencies engage effectively with residents impacted by noise, flight movements and airport operations. In this regard, I am aware the Department of Transport and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, regularly engage with the Dublin Airport Authority on a number of matters including noise affecting communities around Dublin Airport. I understand the DAA has assured the Department of Transport that it continues to regularly engage with the community and stakeholders on issues related to noise at the airport via its community engagement team, which conducts visits to local homes and schools to discuss a wide range of issues ranging from flight paths to noise mitigation measures.

This is in addition to the large volume of email responses and updates issued to residents and local elected representatives. These kinds of earnest and regular engagements are essential. We cannot afford to limit our economic opportunities simply due to a reticence around having tough conversations about growth, sustainability and noise regulation. Ensuring there is a robust regulatory framework for aircraft noise at Dublin Airport is not about blocking progress. It is about managing the sustainable growth of the airport while also protecting the rights of people who live within the vicinity of the airport and under flight paths. This Government firmly believes these concepts can co-exist successfully - a thriving Dublin Airport and robust noise regulation with an independent regulator. That is why I highlighted in my opening remarks the planned update of the national aviation policy. Ireland deserves an aviation policy that is future focused and a national the national aviation policy will need to take account of the changed aviation landscape since 2015. In the context of aircraft noise, I expect this will include reflecting the importance of fit-for-purpose noise regulation in line with the balanced approach concept for aircraft noise. The way to achieve this balance is by listening to all stakeholders using modern technology and applying smart policy solutions. This means implementing reasonable controls, ensuring that noise is measured and capped within agreed levels, flight path management and making sure residents are consulted with and kept informed.

For context, in the implementation of the 2019 Act, in its role as aircraft noise regulator, Aircraft Noise Competent Authority, ANCA, previously defined a noise abatement objective, NAO, policy for managing the effects of aircraft noise emissions on the surrounding communities and environment for Dublin Airport. This is effectively a plan to ensure any growth at the airport occurs in the most sustainable manner possible. On an annual basis, ANCA has a remit to review the effectiveness of noise mitigation measures in achieving the NAO for Dublin Airport. I understand a review of noise levels and their effects on local communities has been initiated by ANCA. Through this process, ANCA will evaluate whether the noise impact at Dublin Airport since the opening of the new runway is of a scale that requires new noise mitigation measures or possible operating restrictions. In relation to the performance of ANCA at the regulator, the Government is confident the current system with ANCA as the independent regulator for the management of noise at Dublin Airport is proper and effective. When the 2019 Act was being drafted, the Department of Transport carried out extensive policy and legal examination to determine how best to introduce a noise regulation regime which on the one hand fully accords with EU regulation 598/2014 and on the other aligned with our existing planning and development and environmental frameworks. The outcome of these deliberations was the conclusion that the only certain way to achieve this way by primary legislation and that Fingal County Council was the best option. Further, as I set out earlier, the first periodic review of the competent authority as provided for in the legislation is due to be commenced in September 2026. It is important we do not pre-empt the outcome of this work before it even begins.

In conclusion, I am firmly of the belief that the best approach to ensuring effective noise regulation at Dublin Airport in as comprehensive and cohesive a manner as possible is through a review as provided by the 2019 Act and, separately, the development of a new national aviation policy. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and his officials will continue to work closely with all relevant stakeholders to monitor the issue and ensure the existing regulatory framework continues to apply the balanced approach to the issue of noise management. While I thank Deputy Smith for introducing the Bill and initiating this debate, for all of the reasons outlined, the Government will oppose this Bill. Overall, it has serious concerns about the Bill and if enacted it would have the opposite of its intended impact and actually negatively impact noise regulation at Dublin Airport.

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