Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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652. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to release for public consultation the draft statutory instrument which will transpose EU Regulation 598/2014. [16480/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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EU Regulation No. 598/2014 entered into force in June 2016 and is directly applicable in the State.  Upon publication of the draft proposal by the European Commission, officials of my Department undertook a consultation process with those statutory bodies that have roles in this area to best inform Ireland's position on the negotiation of the proposal.  The Regulation represents a shift in responsibility for aircraft noise from the airport operator to a separate, independent statutory entity or competent authority that will be required to oversee the delivery of the new, more prescriptive approach to aircraft noise management. As you will be aware, I have already announced that I am appointing the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) as the Competent Authority to deal with aircraft noise management at Dublin airport.   As I previously stated, I wish to ensure that there are robust consultation requirements with all key stakeholders, including local residents.  It is proposed that the Statutory Instrument will outline requirements concerning the collaborative working arrangements to apply between the Competent Authority and the various statutory bodies that have roles and expertise in relation to noise management.  Insofar as public participation arrangements are concerned, before the IAA as Competent Authority makes any decision about noise-related operating restrictions at the airport, there will be an obligation for public consultation and all stakeholders will be able to give their views.

As Regulation 598/2014 is already applicable in the State since June 2016 and Regulations to ensure the appointment of a competent authority and provide for the other necessary provisions are imminent, I have no plans to consult further on the matter prior to the making of those Regulations.