Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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82. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with the Dublin Airport Authority regarding the cost of mitigation measures consequential on its decision to develop the second runway, with particular reference to reducing the impact of noise and the impact on the transport network in the area. [21982/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The daa has statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport.  In line with this responsibility, it is a matter for daa to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to facilitate the development of the airport and that there is sufficient capacity to meet existing and future demand.

I recently met with senior officials of daa to discuss a number of issues, one of which was the North Runway project. The daa advised me that it expects to invest in the region of €320 million in this multifaceted project which includes associated aprons, taxiways, drainage network, changes to the road network system and mitigation measures to reduce the impact of noise.  The daa also advised me that it is very conscious of balancing the national needs in delivering an essential piece of infrastructure while minimising impacts on local communities.

In this regard, daa briefed me on its engagement with residents on the project and outlined the various strands of work under way on the project, which include the discharging of pre-commencement planning conditions relating to noise mitigation measures, such as the voluntary insulation and house buyout schemes which will be available to residents whose houses are most impacted.

In addition, they spoke about the substantial public consultation and communications programme they have commenced which will continue as the north runway project develops.

In this regard, I understand that daa is in the process of examining the scope of a further Environmental Impact Statement for the purpose of seeking a review of operating restrictions foreseen for Dublin Airport under the existing planning permission for the North Runway and have recently gone to public consultation on this matter.  This consultation provides an opportunity to contribute to the content of and approach adopted in the EIS.