CONCERNS have been raised regarding the Dublin Airport Authority’s (daa) decision to seek an amendment to the conditions from An Bord Pleanála to secure unrestricted use of a second runway at the airport.
However, the daa have argued that the “severely” restrictive conditions would result in the loss of approximately three million passengers from the day the new runway opens.
Dublin Fingal TD Darragh O’Brien (FF) has urged the daa to rethink appealing the An Bord Pleanála conditions.
“On Monday (July 11), I was happy to meet with the Dublin Airport Authority, together with colleagues from the Oireachtas, and members of community groups representing Portmarnock, Malahide and Swords,” he said.
“Feedback from the residents of St Margaret’s and The Ward was also raised.
“It was an important opportunity to engage with the various stakeholders and interests associated with these plans.”
Two of the conditions laid down by An Bord Pleanála when planning permission for the second runway was granted in 2007, stipulated that the total number of nighttime flights could not exceed 65 between 11pm and 7am once the new runway is built; and take-off and landing times were to be restricted between 7am and 11pm.
Deputy O’Brien is “concerned” that the daa now intends to enter a process to address these two conditions.
“I would like to make clear that I do not support the daa in their decision to appeal and am therefore, calling on the daa to reconsider their application to achieve unrestricted use of the North Runway,” he said.
“Since 2004, I have consistently supported the development of the airport. The airport is a major employer in North Dublin and the new runway has the capacity to create thousands of additional jobs, which I welcome.
“This project will allow the airport to grow for the benefit of the Irish economy by supporting additional trade, tourism and foreign direct investment in Ireland.”
Deputy O’Brien said he fully supports the development and expansion of the North Runway.
“However, the very genuine and serious concerns of residents must be taken into account,” he added.
A spokeswoman for the daa said that as part of its ongoing community engagement programme they are very aware of local concerns.
“We are committed to addressing those concerns through a comprehensive range of sound mitigation measures,” she told Northside People.
“It is important to note that the planning conditions that would apply after the North Runway becomes operational would result in less capacity at key times with two runways, than is presently available on the existing Southern runway.
“This would be the equivalent of adding a new lane to the M50 and then closing two lanes at key travel times.
“daa has a responsibility to seek an independent review of these two severely restrictive conditions that would result in the loss of about three million passengers approximately from the day the new runway opens.”
The spokeswoman added: “This in turn will stymie employment opportunities as well as future growth at Dublin Airport which is a major gateway for tourism and trade.”