Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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426. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to support a matter (details supplied) regarding noise pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8047/16]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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Airports can be a significant source of environmental noise, both from aircraft take-offs and landings, and ground running operations, where aircraft engines are tested as part of their maintenance regime.

Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has responsibility for management of Dublin Airport, including flight tracking and noise monitoring, and Fingal County Council is the Noise Action Planning authority (as follows). Noise assessment is carried out by the Noise & Flight Track Monitoring Service (NFTMS) of DAA. The NFTMS provides information and a complaints handling service to local communities to deal with aircraft noise and flight track keeping. Details of the NTFMS reports can be accessed online at:

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Noise Complaints can be made directly to Dublin Airport Authority using the following link: .

Mitigation of aircraft noise on neighbouring communities is managed under the Noise Action Plan and requires input from DAA, IAA and the airlines that operate at Dublin Airport. There is a free-phone number (1800 200 034), where further information on noise or flight track issues can be obtained.

As a “major airport”, Dublin Airport falls within the scope of EU Directive 2002/49/EC (the Environmental Noise Directive, or END) relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. This Directive aims to provide “a common framework to avoid, prevent or reduce, on a prioritised basis, the harmful effects of exposure to environmental noise”.

The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 transpose the END into Irish law. The Regulations set out a two-stage process for addressing environmental noise.

1. Firstly, noise must be assessed through the preparation of strategic noise maps for areas and infrastructure falling within defined criteria, e.g. large agglomerations, major roads, railways and airports. Noise maps are due to be updated by June 2017.

2. Secondly, based on the results of the mapping process, the Regulations require the preparation of noise action plans for each area concerned. The fundamental objective of action plans is the prevention and reduction of environmental noise. Action plans are due to be updated by June 2018 and require public consultation.

Under the Regulations, Noise Mapping Bodies and Noise Action Planning Bodies have been designated. DAA have been designated as a noise mapping body under the 2006 regulations. The Noise Action Planning Body prescribed for Dublin Airport under the regulations is the local authority within whose functional are the airport is located, in this case, Fingal County Council.

Details with regard to the Noise Action Plan for Dublin Airport can be accessed in the Dublin Agglomeration Environmental Noise Action Plan (December 2013 – November 2018), which is available online at:

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The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has responsibility for the product certification of noise from aircraft engines. All aircraft arriving and departing Dublin Airport come under the direction of the IAA which provide air traffic control services in Ireland and are responsible for routing of aircraft.