Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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840. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 22 February 2018, if runway 16/34 at Dublin Airport will continue to be used for aircraft movements in adverse weather conditions in circumstances in which the resurfacing of runway 10/28 is completed; if runway 16/34 will be retired when the new north runway commences operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12165/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the deputy is aware, daa has statutory responsibility for the development, management and operation of Dublin Airport.

As I informed the Deputy in reply to her earlier question on this matter, the project to resurface the main runway at Dublin airport requires the use of the crosswind runway, R16/34. The runway resurfacing work can only be carried out at night between the hours of 9pm and 5am when the airport is least busy as it requires the full closure of the main runway. While the night time works are ongoing the airport has no alternative but to use its secondary runway, R16/34 to facilitate landings and take-offs during this time.

All aircraft arriving and departing Dublin Airport come under the direction of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) which provides air traffic control services in Ireland. The IAA’s decision on runway use is based on meteorological conditions at the time, usually wind direction and speed. For safety reasons aircraft must land and take off into the wind.   

When the works on the main runway are completed R16/34 will only be used in exceptional circumstances i.e. where the wind/safety reasons dictate. Once North Runway is built, R16/34 will also only be used in exceptional circumstances.