Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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479. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the agreed outcomes of the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation’s, ICAO, committee on aviation environmental protection steering group meeting, which took place the week of 11 September 2017 in Montreal, Canada; if Ireland has adopted a position in regard to the possible re-introduction of civil supersonic aircraft; and if Ireland will insist on strict noise and CO2 standards before permitting a reintroduction of such aircraft. [40664/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I understand that the outcomes, if any, of the Steering Group meeting of ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) of 11 September 2017 have yet to be formally communicated. I understand that the timeframes for the finalisation of recommendations by CAEP in relation to supersonic aircraft is 2022. Any proposals arising at that time will need to be submitted to all 191 ICAO member states for their views. Ireland will formulate its position upon consideration of these detailed proposals for noise and any other environmental protection standards once they have been received. The Department is committed to consulting publicly on any such proposals.

I am happy to say that Ireland is fully committed to the development of a sustainable, resource-efficient aviation sector and is engaged in ongoing efforts at both national and international level to address the environmental impact of aviation. For example, Ireland continues to participate in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS), which requires that all airlines operating in Europe must monitor, report and verify their emissions, and surrender allowances against those emissions. In addition, Ireland has volunteered to participate in the pilot phase of ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which aims to maintain the global net CO2 emissions from international aviation at 2020 levels. Finally, officials within my Department have also developed an effective working relationship with their colleagues in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Through open and constructive discussions both Departments are working together to formulate an overall Irish approach to environmental sustainability in aviation.