Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)
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101. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the Government’s aircraft noise policy and where can it be viewed, as referenced in correspondence to this Deputy on 13 November 2025, in queries relating to Dublin Airport Authority. [68407/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to begin by clarifying that the correspondence of 13 November 2025 advised that your correspondence was being addressed "in the context of the broader subject of aircraft noise policy".

The Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019 gave effect to EU Regulation 598/2014 (the EU Aircraft Noise Regulation) in Ireland, providing a wholly independent aircraft noise regulation process in accordance with the EU Aircraft Noise Regulation.

As the EU Aircraft Noise Regulation applies to airports with annual aircraft movements exceeding 50,000, based on traffic levels in Ireland, it only applies to Dublin Airport.

The competent authority for the purposes of aircraft noise regulation in Ireland is the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA), a separate and independent Directorate within Fingal County Council which is headed at a senior level by a Director of Service, who is supported by a core executive team and specialist service providers.

On an annual basis, ANCA carries out an assessment of the effectiveness of the noise management measures at the airport and publishes a report on the findings on its website. This is in addition to publishing annual reports by the airport authority on the compliance by airport users with the noise management measures.

I understand that ANCA is currently carrying out an assessment of the noise situation at Dublin Airport and the potential noise impact of planning applications at Dublin Airport that seek permission for infrastructure and increases to the permitted passenger capacity of the airport.

To conclude, aircraft noise at Dublin Airport is subject to substantial regulation and oversight, as well as best practice mitigation measures. I do however want to reiterate that I fully recognise the legitimate concerns of communities affected by aircraft noise and that it is important to the Government to balance the economic benefits of aviation with the legitimate rights of local residents.