Local politicians have expressed concerns over an apparent conflict of interest in Fingal County Council being appointed the independent Airport Noise Regulator.
It was announced last week that the local authority had been appointed the new independent Airport Noise Regulator for Dublin Airport – despite the hub being one of its biggest commercial rate-payers.
The announcement came from Minister for Transport Shane Ross TD in accordance with EU regulations which sets out how the impact of airport noise should be managed and monitored.
Concerns were raised by a number of councillors at this week’s monthy council meeting over the apparent conflict of interest which they say will now be present following the appointment.
Planning permission to construct a second runway at Dublin Airport was granted to the DAA back in 2007.
But Independent councillor Anne Devitt expressed confusion at how Fingal will now act as both a decision maker for any planning applications regarding the construction work, and as a noise regulator for the airport.
Councillor Malachy Quinn went on to say that he believes that Fingal County Council is lacking the appropriate funds in order to fulfil this proposed appointment, requesting that additional funds be sought by Minister Ross.
he Green Party’s Roderic O’Gorman regarded this appointment as an “unrequested” responsibility.
Other issues regarding this appointment included a possible clash with the impending Environmental Noise Action Plan which is currently being produced by Fingal County Council.
According to councillor O’Gorman, there is a sense of “irony” over the situation as a whole.
“I note the irony that unrequested, Fingal have been given the sudden power to regulate Dublin Airport on the issue of noise whereas a more consistent generator of noise, the M50…under the existing Noise Action Plan gives us absolutely no power to do anything,” said O’Gorman.
According to a statement released by Fingal County Council, they are now awaiting publication by the Government of the draft Bill which will set out precisely how the Regulation will operate in accordance with EU regulation.
Source: Dublin Live
