Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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588. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views as to whether the EPA has been completely absent from involvement in the environmental impact assessment for the northern runway; the steps he will take to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25438/17]

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. I understand that an Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken as part of the planning permission application for the North Runway Project which was approved by An Bord Pleanála in August 2007.  My Department had no role in that process.

daa announced their intention to proceed with the North Runway project in April 2016. Of the 31 conditions attached to the planning permission for the project, two remain of particular concern to daa. These restrictions, if they remain unaltered, would result in operating restrictions being applied at certain hours across the entire airport (not just the new runway).  daa has stated its intention to seek to have these planning conditions, which they consider restrictive, altered. The process to alter these conditions will involve the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement and I am informed that daa have commenced this work.  I also understand that daa have consulted widely on the content of this EIS and that feedback reports on these consultations are available on the Dublin Airport website.

As the Deputy is aware, EU Regulation 598/2014 came into force in June last year and introduces procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports employing a "balanced approach" that takes account of land-use planning and noise mitigation measures. The Competent Authority will be appointed shortly, following finalisation of a Statutory Instrument by my Department.

I am awaiting the advice of the Office of the Attorney General in relation to this issue.  The question of whether an Environmental Impact Assessment will be required as part of the decision making process will be covered in that advice.