In response to recommendation 9 of the Joint Committee on Transport's report on the pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026, the Committee was advised that under the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019, EU Regulation 598/2014 has been implemented in full, and I am satisfied that the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) fully meets the functionally separated requirements of the EU Regulation.
Furthermore, ANCA, whilst functionally independent, is part of Fingal Country Council, carrying out an executive function. This organisational structure is not unusual in Ireland, where local authorities can often have a wide range of statutory-based regulatory functions and enforcement roles. Further, it is not unusual for a regulatory body to be funded by an entity it is responsible for regulating, in the form of a levy or charge on that entity.
Notwithstanding that position, in line with the requirement set out in section 3 of the 2019 Act, a statutory review of the performance by ANCA of its functions as the competent authority is underway and independent consultants have been appointed to undertake this role. The outcome of this review will inform the broader consideration of the appropriate future planning framework for Dublin Airport, including the interaction between aircraft noise regulation and the planning process.
