Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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590. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to implement EU legislation on the regulation of air traffic noise; the impact this will have on existing planning control and pollution control, specifically in the case of Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28664/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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On 22 September 2016, I announced my plans to implement the EU legislation in question, namely EU Regulation No. 598-2014 on the process to be followed when considering the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports. I am arranging to transmit directly to the Deputy further details of that announcement, which describe the main elements of the new regulatory regime for airport noise.  As set out in that announcement, a key element of the new regime is the designation of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) as the competent authority with the necessary powers to implement EU Regulation 598/2014 in Ireland.  Only Dublin Airport currently and foreseeably exceeds the 50,000 aircraft movements' threshold in the EU Regulation.  In accordance with legislation currently in preparation in my Department, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, the IAA will be required to undertake a review of the noise situation at Dublin Airport immediately following commencement of this legislation. The IAA will be the only body empowered to make determinations on operating restrictions to apply at the airport. The IAA will not be bound by operating restrictions foreseen in the planning permission granted in 2007 for the new runway at Dublin Airport. The new regulatory regime for airport noise will be built on strong collaborative working arrangements between the IAA and other statutory bodies that have roles and expertise relating to noise management, in particular An Bord Pleanála, Fingal County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency. It is also the case that there will be no change to the necessity for compliance with the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Habitats and Birds, and the Environmental Noise Directives.