Dublin Airport Authority

Thursday, 30 April 2026

Ceisteanna (250)

Gillian Toole

Ceist:

250. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport whether he is aware that the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority formally requested noise data from DAA plc in April 2024 for the purpose of the noise assessment required under Regulation (EU) 598/2014; that daa did not supply the requested data until November 2025, a delay of approximately 19 months; that the delay extended past An Coimisiún Pleanála's decision of 16 July 2025 granting daa's Relevant Action application (ABP-314485-22) with revised conditions, such that the data was not supplied until approximately four months after the Board's decision, and approximately three months before the European Commission's decision C(2026) 919 of 10 February 2026 finding Ireland's process for the adoption of noise-related operating restrictions at Dublin Airport non-compliant with Regulation (EU) 598/2014; that section 9(10)(a) of the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019 empowers ANCA to direct the airport authority to provide information; whether any statutory or regulatory provision has been identified to the Minister, by DAA, ANCA, or any other body under his remit, as the basis on which the supply of noise data to the statutory regulator was lawfully conditional on the status of the Relevant Action; whether his Department has at any point enquired into the reasons for the 19-month delay; whether he recalls a meeting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31824/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I thank the Deputy for the detailed questions.

In December 2023 daa applied to Fingal County Council, the relevant planning authority, for planning permission to increase the capacity of the airport to 40m passengers through the construction of new aircraft piers, stands and other works - the so-called Infrastructure application.

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.

In that regard the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) commenced an assessment of the Infrastructure Application and determined that the application should be supplemented with additional information which daa has been directed to provide.

In that context, I can confirm that I am aware of the timing of the request from ANCA for “noise data from daa plc in April 2024 for the purpose of the noise assessment required under Regulation (EU) 598/2014”, and I can clarify that the request was issued by ANCA in March 2024, rather than in April 2024. Furthermore, it is my understanding that the requested data was subsequently provided by daa to ANCA in November 2025.

It is important to note that ANCA are independent in the performance of their regulatory functions as the competent authority for aircraft noise, and it is not open to me as Minister for Transport, to intervene on matters which are the responsibility of independent authorities.

With regard to the North Runway Relevant Action (NRRA), it is my understanding that the daa’s stated position is that it needed a decision on the NRRA application before providing the requested data to ANCA in order to ensure the information provided was as robust and accurate as possible.

It is my opinion that the timing of the provision of information does not materially interfere with the independence of the process.