Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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186. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to the proposed development of a second runway at Dublin airport, if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of residents in the local area, particularly those in the communities of Portmarnock and St. Margaret's; if he has engaged with the daa to ensure the concerns of residents are fully examined and taken into account by the daa; if he will engage with the daa to ensure they further engage with local residents regarding any further developments at Dublin Airport which may impact upon them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33197/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​As the Deputy is aware, the daa has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including the North Runway project.  It is my understanding that daa is continuing to engage with local communities 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.  daa also 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.

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 and 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 flightpaths. 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.

I understand that arrangements are underway at present in my office to facilitate a meeting between the Deputy, concerned parties and myself in the coming weeks. This meeting will take place as soon as all parties have had an opportunity to confirm their availability.