Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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69. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any engagement with the Dublin Airport Authority, Irish Aviation Authority, An Bord Pleanála and Fingal County Council regarding the current operations at Dublin Airport on the use of the new north runway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20821/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the deputy will be aware, daa has the statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport, including the use of the new North Runway.

As state bodies under my remit, I have regular engagement with both the IAA and the DAA and I have met with both bodies where current operations at Dublin Airport on the use of the north runway have been discussed.

I am aware that following the opening of the North Runway, an issue regarding the runway’s departure flight paths was identified which resulted in some local communities being unexpectedly overflown. When this issue was identified, I understand that the daa advised local communities and elected representatives that they had commenced a review with the aim of resolving the issue.

When the review was complete, DAA reverted to these stakeholders advising that the current Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) would be updated, resulting in flight paths aligning more closely with those previously consulted on and used as part of the planning process.

All flight paths at Dublin Airport are governed by international safety standards so the revised SIDs required regulatory review and approval before being implemented. daa in conjunction with IAA Air Navigation Service Provider (IAA ANSP) submitted a revised departure process to the Safety Regulator for the required safety assessment which was subsequently approved. The new flight paths became operational on 23 February 2023.

DAA advise that they continue to work closely with the local community regarding any issues they are facing as a result of operations at Dublin Airport. It is expected that a small number of dwellings which were previously on the verge of eligibility for mitigation measures may become eligible as a result of the new revised SIDs.

DAA advise that to enhance tracking of aircraft using Dublin Airport, 18 new noise monitoring terminals (16 fixed and two mobile) are being added to the existing system. 10 fixed and three mobile monitors are already in place, with 12 further fixed monitors scheduled to be installed over the coming months.

In relation to Fingal County Council (FCC), I can advise the Deputy that along with my Department officials, I met with FCC earlier this year in relation to a number of matters pertaining to Dublin Airport.

As publicised on its website, in December 2022, the Airport Noise Regulator (an independent Directorate within FCC, commenced a review of the impact of aircraft noise on the communities around Dublin Airport. DAA has been directed to provide operational data to ANCA to inform the review. This data will be assessed on a phased basis over a number of months and the outcome of the review will be made public.

Due to the technical nature and volume of the information required from daa, data will be submitted and assessed on a phased basis over the coming months. Through this process, ANCA will determine if it is necessary to introduce additional noise control measures around Dublin Airport.

This review will examine how the airport has operated since the new runway opened on 24 August 2022 and consider how aircraft operations may affect the areas around the airport in the years ahead.

My Department has no role in relation to the regulation of noise at Dublin Airport or the current review being undertaken by ANCA in relation to the impact of aircraft noise on the communities around Dublin Airport as this is a wholly independent process.

Finally, I can advise the Deputy that I have not had any engagement with An Bord Pleanala in relation to these matters.