Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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40. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to deal with repeated claims from communities all across north Dublin affected by the new major runway that the daa consultation process is inadequate and that their views are not being taken on board, particularly in respect of the communities in or adjoining the areas where the noise impact will be so severe that they are affected by a buyout scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32770/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy will be aware, daa has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including the North Runway project which I have welcomed as an essential piece of infrastructure that is in the national interest.

I understand that daa are continuing to engage with local communities on the North Runway project and have held a number of meetings with representative groups and individuals since the company announced that it was proceeding with the runway project in April. daa have stated their willingness, which I obviously have encouraged, to provide briefings to groups or individuals on request.  In this context, daa have engaged in an extensive information campaign including tailored door-to-door leaflet drops, newsletters, videos, information workshops, and has hosted large-scale information days in the area. A dedicated website and a free-phone number for the project have also been established.

In particular, daa have recently consulted with the local community on the 'Proposal to Change Permitted Operations' regarding their stated intention to seek to change two of the conditions attached to the planning permission for the runway. As part of this process, public information days were held in June/July to discuss the approach and the contents of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Scoping Document. Further information and consultation events took place last week to provide an update on the EIS process and to assist in selecting between emerging options for future flight paths.

A detailed report on the feedback received following the first public consultation is available on the North Runway website.  All of the responses that emerged from this consultation with stakeholders are now being reviewed and considered in finalising the assessment methodology and content of the EIS.

All of these initiatives are in addition to daa's ongoing engagement on mitigation measures, including a home sound insulation scheme and a voluntary dwelling purchase scheme, which are required as part of the planning permission for Runway North.

Also, on 22 September 2016, I published a policy statement about new arrangements that I intend to put in place in relation to determining what operating restrictions are appropriate at Dublin Airport.  These arrangements will ensure that the concerns of residents in the area are given due consideration.