Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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510. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations in place to minimise and mitigate the noise levels to residents in the Hollystown and surrounding areas in Dublin west from aircraft taking off and landing in Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18021/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Environmental Noise Directive (END) 2002/49/EC sets out certain requirements for the assessment and management of environmental noise from transport sources, including from major airports with more than 50,000 aircraft take-off or landing movements per year. Dublin Airport is the only airport in Ireland that falls within this threshold.

The END was transposed into national law by the Environmental Noise Regulations 2006, which set out a two-stage process for addressing environmental noise. Firstly, environmental noise must be assessed through the preparation of strategic noise maps for areas and infrastructure falling within defined criteria. This is undertaken by prescribed noise mapping bodies, which includes Dublin Airport Authority (daa) and local authorities. Secondly, based on the results of the mapping process, the Regulations require the preparation of noise action plans for each area concerned, which is undertaken by the relevant local authority, the prescribed noise action planning body. The fundamental objective of action plans is the prevention and reduction of environmental noise.

The most recent noise mapping exercise found that 200 people are exposed to undesirable night-time levels above 55 dB(A) from aircraft using Dublin Airport. As compared to the previous mapping exercise in 2007, there has been an overall reduction in the number of people exposed to undesirable night-time noise levels.

In 2008, Dublin Airport Stakeholders Forum set up an Environmental Working Group that works closely with Fingal County Council. This group provides an effective forum for the discussion of all environment matters concerning the development and operation of the airport that have an impact on users, customers of the airport and on people living and working in the surrounding communities.

The management of noise abatement of operational procedures at Dublin Airport is shared by the airport operator, the daa, and the airlines operating at the airport. Under the European Communities (Air Navigation and Transport Rules and Procedures for Noise Related Operating Restrictions at Airports) Regulations 2003, the Irish Aviation Authority has the responsibility of ensuring that the airport operator has in place a system of noise monitoring.

In recognition of its responsibilities in this area, the daa has introduced, and continues to evaluate, a number of initiatives to monitor aircraft noise levels and to mitigate their impact. A flight tracking system is now operated that allows aircraft movements to be analysed and to respond to any complaints relating to aircraft noise. The primary objective of the Noise & Flight Track Department of the daa is to gather information on aircraft approach and departure routes and resultant noise levels at a number of key locations.

The regulatory regime for airport noise at EU airports with more than 50,000 aircraft take-off or landing movements per year has recently been enhanced with the entry into force on 13 June 2016 of Regulation (EU) No 598/2014 which requires that Member States adhere to a specific process known as the ICAO Balanced Approach when considering the introduction of operating restrictions at airports.  My Department, along with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, is engaged in discussions regarding arrangements for the appropriate implementation of this Regulation in Ireland.