Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
270. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport to list the noise abatement procedures in place at Dublin Airport which his Department states are fully consistent with the Environmental Noise Directive and Regulation (EU) No 598/2014, identifying for each the instrument specifying it and the body verifying compliance with it. [68407/26]
View answerAs a Contracting State to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and a member state of the European Union (EU), Ireland complies with ICAO standards and EU legislation regarding civil aviation.
As the Deputy will be aware the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019 provides a wholly independent aircraft noise regulation process in accordance with EU Regulation 598/2014. The Act provides that all future development at Dublin airport is subject to assessment and mitigation in respect of the impact of associated aircraft movements on the noise environment around Dublin Airport.
The Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) is the independent regulator for the management of aircraft noise at Dublin Airport.
A Noise Abatement Objective (NAO) is a policy objective for managing the effects of aircraft noise on surrounding communities and the environment at an airport. It is intended to ensure that airport operations and future growth are managed in the most sustainable manner possible, while providing a framework to guide decisions on aircraft noise management and mitigation measures.
ANCA originally established a NAO for Dublin Airport in 2022 to ensure that aircraft noise is considered as part of the sustainable development of the airport. It has a clear policy objective supported by measurable criteria and outcomes and serves as the benchmark against which noise mitigation measures and operating restrictions are assessed and reviewed.
In 2026, as part of its assessment of a proposed increase in Dublin Airport's passenger capacity and associated infrastructure development, ANCA reviewed and updated the NAO to reflect the airport's future operation. ANCA recently completed a public consultation on the amended NAO and associated draft aircraft noise mitigation measures. The consultation, which ran from 28 May to 3 September 2026, provided an opportunity for local communities, stakeholders and the wider public to review the proposed objective and submit observations before ANCA finalises its regulatory decision.
On an annual basis, ANCA has a remit to review the effectiveness of noise mitigation measures in achieving the NAO for Dublin Airport. Where monitoring indicates that noise mitigation is ineffective or the NAO outcomes are not being met, ANCA is empowered to introduce or amend regulatory restrictions and operational requirements to force compliance with those objectives.
Separately, in 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was designated as the National Authority under Section 5(1) of the European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 549 of 2018). This requires the EPA to exercise general supervision over the functions and actions of noise-mapping bodies and action planning authorities, including Fingal County Council, in relation the Dublin Airport Noise Map and Action Plan, and to provide guidance or advice to such bodies and authorities, where necessary.
