Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding search and rescue services in an area (details supplied), if consultation with the local community occurred before the service was moved to the location; what, if any, noise abatement or flight path restrictions are in place for the protection of residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54126/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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In his capacity as Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, my colleague Seán Canney T.D, has responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard and the SAR Aviation Contract.

Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter services are provided under contract that is currently transitioning from CHCI to Bristow Ireland.

This critical lifesaving service provides for the operation of four 24/7 SAR helicopter bases, located at Shannon, Waterford Sligo and Weston in Dublin. The new contract was awarded following a detailed and extensive procurement programme.

The procurement process specified the location of each base and in the case of Dublin, intending bidders were required to base the service, at or within 25 Km of Dublin airport. I am advised that the management at Weston airport in conjunction with the various airport users has a noise abatement plan and also has established a programme of community engagement. More importantly I am pleased to advise the Deputy that Weston is proving to be well suited to enabling the Coast Guard deliver on its life saving services that include options for safe and effective transfer of some patients or casualties, by ambulance from helicopter to Dublin area hospitals.

From an aviation perspective Weston Airport is licensed and certified by the Irish Aviation Authority ("IAA") as an aerodrome operator and air navigation services provider. A volume of airspace has been designated to Weston to enable them to provide these services.

Under the 2018 Environmental Noise regulations (which implement the EU Environmental Noise Directive), local authorities are responsible for the noise mapping of the area under their jurisdiction, and the creation of a noise action plan to tackle harmful environmental noise.

In the case of Weston Airport, I am informed that it has not been modelled as part of the South Dublin County Councils strategic noise modelling for the Dublin agglomeration, as it is not a major airport. It is a policy of South Dublin County Council to discourage noise-sensitive developments such as nursing homes, schools, hospitals and conference centres in the immediate vicinity of Weston aerodrome.

For residential development and other noise vulnerable land uses, an appropriate noise assessment with accompanying mitigation measures to protect residential amenity would be requested when submitted to the planning authority.

In relation to flight paths, under EU legislation, the operator of an airport is responsible for the design and maintenance of Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs), which set flight paths into and out of an airport. The IAA, as civil aviation safety regulator, is responsible for ensuring that IFPs adhere to safety standards set out in national, European and international regulations.