APPROXIMATELY 300 people attended a public meeting at Portmarnock Sports and Leisure Club (PSLC) last Wednesday (October 5) to discuss issues surrounding the proposed new runway at Dublin Airport.
Two of the conditions laid down by An Bord Pleanála when planning permission was granted for the runway 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. However, new legislation could result in there being no limit to this number.
Siobhán O’Donnell, a spokeswoman for the Dublin Airport Authority (daa), said an EU regulation (598) was passed in 2014. This sets out rules and processes in relation to the introduction of noise management related operating procedures at European Union airports within what is known as balanced approach.
“This comprises quieter aircraft, land-use planning, operational procedures and operating restrictions,” Ms O’Donnell told Northside People.
“The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport announced earlier this month that under 598 the competent authority for airport noise will be the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).
“daa is studying the details of the new airport noise control regime and the implications of this recent announcement and we look forward to further clarity in relation to how it will operate in Ireland.”
However, at the meeting in Portmarnock – organised by Fingal Organised Residents United Movement (FORUM) – residents vented their anger and vowed to protest against any plans to operate unrestricted nighttime flights at the airport.
Pat Suttle, a Portmarnock Community Association (PCA) representative, insisted that FORUM is not an anti-runway group.
“We’re not trying to stop the runway and we’re not trying to stop progress. We want all the jobs promised to us but we are trying to mitigate any bad effects the new runway and increased traffic will have on our communities,” Mr Suttle said.
“Really what we want is the An Bord Pleanála restrictions that was set out in the original planning permission, that’s our bottom line.”
Mr Suttle added: “I can assure people we are going to have a protest. This is just the start of this process.”
Gerry Duggan, a member of Malahide Community Forum, who presented a detailed report on the night, said: “Dublin has at present the most lenient night flight operation regime of any airport of its size and location in Europe and it is seeking to maintain that.”
Dublin Fingal TDs Clare Daly (ULA), Louise O’Reilly (SF) and Darragh O’Brien (FF) were among the public representatives in attendance.
Deputy Daly gave a commitment that she would work to prevent legislation lifting restrictions on nighttime flights from being passed, while Deputy O’Reilly ensured residents that restrictions will not be lifted without the proposal being first voted on in the Dáil.
“Be under no illusions: this will need legislation. This will be debated in the Dáil and we will be voting against any legislation that will overturn restrictions that are there already,” Deputy O’Reilly said.
Deputy O’Brien said: “We all know what a great economic driver this airport is for our area and country, but unrestricted nighttime flights are unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, Siobhán O’Donnell insisted that the daa is very conscious of local communities and understands that this is a “sensitive issue for our neighbours”.
“We respect the fact that there are lots of different views in relation to the expansion of the airport,” she said.
“In this regard, we aim to balance the needs of our local communities with our responsibility of managing the day-to-day operations of the airport as well as growing connectivity and developing it for the future.”
Ms O’Donnell said that taking account of our local communities, a number of mitigation measures such as a voluntary house buy out scheme and a residential insulation scheme are available for those most impacted by the new runway.
“These measures were approved and conditioned by An Bord Pleanála within the original planning permission granted for the runway,” she said.
“We have met with many communities on a one to one basis as well as with larger community groups and these meetings are ongoing.”
Ms O’Donnell added: “A new runway at Dublin Airport is essential to underpin the further development of the Irish economy.”
REPORT: Daniel O’Connor