Dáil debates

Tuesday, 14 June 2016

Other Questions

Airport Development Projects

4:55 pm

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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60. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his work with the Dublin Airport Authority and other relevant bodies to ensure plans for an additional runway at the airport include considerable consultation with local communities and a plan for increased public transport provision at the airport. [15614/16]

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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What is the status of the Minister’s work with the Dublin Airport Authority and other relevant bodies to ensure plans for an additional runway at the airport include considerable consultation with local communities and a plan for increased public transport provision at the airport? I noted that the Minister said earlier he had not yet met the Dublin Airport Authority. Obviously, he needs to do so quickly. There are also other relevant authorities he needs to meet in that regard.

5:05 pm

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I have already dealt with a similar question from Deputy Brendan Ryan, as Deputy Ellis will be aware. The DAA has responsibility for the north runway project. It was granted planning permission in 2007 for the project and announced its intention to proceed in April 2016. As I have said previously, I welcome the DAA's stated commitment to work closely with all stakeholders, including local residents and community groups, in regard to the north runway project. I understand the DAA has already met with local residents to discuss the project and that further engagement is planned.

With regard to public transport services at the airport, as the Deputy will be aware, a significant number of public and private bus and coach operators are currently licensed to provide services linking the airport with the city and other suburban and regional centres across the country. I understand that current demand for public transport services is well catered for by these operators. In the medium to longer term, the new programme for Government includes a commitment to proceed with a metro scheme linking Dublin airport with the city centre and Swords. Funding is being made available under the capital plan for planning, design and commencement of construction of the new Metro North scheme, with a view to delivering the link by 2026-27.​

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Permission for the new runway, which will be built 1.6 km north of the current runway, was originally granted in 2007 with 31 conditions attached. The economic downturn and the subsequent fall in passenger numbers coming through the airport saw the plans put on hold. Passenger numbers at the airport have grown substantially in recent years and the new runway is expected to be completed in 2020 at cost of some €320 million. The Dublin Airport Authority has said some of the conditions for the project in the planning permission were obstacles. While the plan has been welcomed solely on an economic basis, there is a serious need to work with the local community and to ensure the plan is environmentally sound and that public transport services to the airport will be adequate to meet demand. The plan has heightened awareness of difficulties for residents who may be affected by associated noise pollution and this problem of noise pollution is just one of the very real issues residents have to deal with. The DAA must be very conscious of this issue, given it could be mitigated somewhat by supporting installation work where needed in estates close to the runway, as well as by noise barriers.

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I thank Deputy Ellis. I am in danger of repetition given what I have already said to Deputy Ryan. I take to heart what both the Deputies have said. I understand the real difficulties in which the residents find themselves when a large project of this sort threatens to disturb their lives with the noise it creates.

As the Deputy knows, new EU rules and directives are coming into force on this issue. I hope this will be used as an opportunity for a humane and understanding solution to the problems of these residents. Obviously, the need for a second runway is imperative at this stage; it is an enormous necessity for tourism and for other aspects of the development of the country. However, I do not think any large body like the DAA, with a State monopoly, should be able to kick around small groups of people who have made their lives in a certain area and who should be treated with compassion, generosity and understanding. I believe meetings have already taken place, although I do not know how they went or how the residents feel about them - Deputy Ellis might come back to me on that point. As I said to Deputy Ryan, I will be meeting the DAA very shortly and this will be a priority in those conversations.

Photo of Dessie EllisDessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister. The DAA has met with some residents' representatives but has not gone to a public meeting, which I think would be a good thing. It would also be good for the DAA to advertise and display the plans across the whole community. This affects a large proportion of the population on the north side of Dublin. The flight paths affect areas such as Swords, in particular the Ridgewood area, Malahide, St. Margaret's, my own area of Finglas and right across to Clontarf. Night flights are a massive issue in terms of noise pollution and the insulation of homes should be on the agenda in certain areas close to the airport. Many people bought homes in recent years thinking the airport was going to remain the same as it is but, unfortunately, they now find there is to be a second runway. It is important they are treated in a proper way and that insulation and so on can be installed.

The Minister mentioned public transport and Metro North. One of the things we badly need is a link to the airport through a metro that can serve Dublin from north to south and east to west, given this would take a massive amount of traffic off the roads annually. Metro North, to which the Minister has committed, as far as I am aware, is a very important project.

Photo of Declan BreathnachDeclan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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On non-priority questions, if Members would stick to questions, other Members would be able to come in within the six and a half minutes. I call Deputy Boyd Barrett on Question No. 61.