The operator of Dublin Airport, daa, has welcomed the judgement made by the High Court, which allows leave for daa to apply for a Judicial Review and also imposes a stay on Fingal County Council’s recent enforcement order issued in relation to planning conditions attached to the opening of North Runway at Dublin Airport.
Alternative noise abatement proposals made by ANCA (the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority) as the competent authority are currently under review by An Bord Pleanála.
Daa chief executive Kenny Jacobs said: “While today’s decision does not solve the underlying planning issues, it is a pragmatic decision while we focus on maintaining vital international air connectivity and protecting Irish jobs supported by Dublin Airport as a vital economic enabler for the country. Balancing the needs of a major international airport like Dublin, with the needs of local communities and residents is always a delicate matter, but one we take extremely seriously.
“daa has been seeking the removal of two onerous planning conditions since 2007. The urgency attaching to planning and regulatory processes to consider those changes, having regard to an EU Directive, was relayed to and understood by regulators, planners and policy makers at the time but we have been frustrated by a complex and protracted Irish planning system.
“daa is proposing to only use North Runway from 6am to midnight rather than 7am to 11pm as set out in the current planning conditions and introduce a noise quota count system rather than a flight movement number cap. These were set out in our Relevant Action submitted in 2021. Both Fingal County Council and ANCA themselves agree with us that this is a better approach as do our airline customers. The conditions attached to the initial grant of planning for North Runway, granted over 16 years ago, reflected the situation at that time which is vastly different to current operations. Modern aircraft are dramatically quieter than 16 years ago for a start, and the Ryanair and Aer Lingus fleet include a large number of new planes which are 50% quieter. It is imperative now that this matter is brought to a speedy and successful conclusion in the national interest.“
