Minister Ross publishes the General Scheme for the Airport Noise Regulation Bill 2018

The Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD today (28 September 2018) published the General Scheme for the Airport Noise Regulation Bill. This General Scheme sets out how EU Regulation 598/2014 will be applied in Ireland. The Regulation introduces a new, EU-wide noise management regime for major European airports that seeks to strike a balance between sustainable airport development and effective airport noise management. It introduces a new, bespoke and robust regulatory regime for major airports, building on the more general requirements of the EU Environmental Noise Directive.

The Bill sets out how noise will be managed and monitored at Dublin Airport in accordance with standards set by the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These measures include noise reduction at source (quieter aircraft), land use planning, other operational procedures (including around adjusted landing and take-off practices) and operating restrictions.

Regulation 598 is very closely linked to the 2002 EU Environmental Noise Directive and it is intended to build on the existing noise assessment, monitoring and management functions carried out under the much earlier Directive. Reflecting this, the General Scheme designates Fingal County Council as the Competent Authority for the purposes of Regulation 598, with An Bord Pleanála as the Appeals Body. Fingal County Council is the responsible body for environmental noise in its local authority area under the 2002 Directive, and, as Regulation 598 requires an appeals process, An Bord Pleanála offers an existing appeals capacity.

The General Scheme sets out the regulatory process, and includes provision to allow for a review of any current operating restrictions in line with the new noise regulation model, including those attached to the planning permission for the North Runway Project. This will be done in an open, transparent manner and in accordance with a high standard of assessment as agreed by ICAO and set out in the EU Regulation.

Under the Bill, noise at Dublin airport will now be subject to full review every five years, and it will also be monitored and managed on an ongoing basis, with the daa required to fully comply with the ruling of a noise regulator.

Commenting on the Bill, Minister Ross said, “I am pleased to publish a General Scheme for an Airport Noise Regulation Bill, which seeks to implement EU Regulation 598. The State is required under the Regulation to introduce a new regulatory regime which will support the sustainable development of major EU airports and apply the so-called “Balanced Approach” to noise management at airports. This Balanced Approach is in accordance with standards set by the United National agency the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and it involves introducing a range of noise management measures to offset airport noise.

The General Scheme has been developed to align and integrate with existing environmental protection and Planning and Development processes, and I believe it strikes a balance between the rights of local residents, the daa as the regulated entity and the broader national interest in recognition of the crucial importance of our primary national airport. I am confident that the robust process set out in the General Scheme – which includes provision of extensive public consultation and a robust appeals process - will ensure that the noise impact of all current and future development at Dublin Airport is effectively mitigated and that all measures available to address identified noise problems are applied as necessary.”

The Joint Oireachtas Committee for Transport, Tourism and Sport is scheduled to examine the General Scheme for pre-legislative scrutiny on 3 October.

Ends

Notes for Editors

The published document is available here.