MEATH RESIDENTS UNDER FLIGHT PARTHS OF DUBLIN AIRPORT BEING TORMENTED BY NOISE :HAVE TO MOVE OUT OF HOMES TO TRY AND GET A NIGHT’S SLEEP - Cllr Emer Tóibín
Some residents in Ashbourne, Ratoath and Dunshaughlin living in the way of the redirected flight paths over the areas, often have to leave their homes and stay with friends or family in Dublin in order to get a good night's sleep.
Aontú Cllr Emer Tóibín says the ongoing disruption in people's lives due to the noise of aircraft departing and landing in Dublin airport is completely unacceptable and shows no sign of abating.
Cllr Toibin says.
“The redirected flight paths over Ashbourne and the surrounding areas, including Ratoath and Dunshaughlin, still persist and are tormenting locals from early in the morning to bedtime”.
“These flight paths are contrary to what was originally outlined per the routes that were initially sanctioned An Bord Planála in 2007 which sanctioned straight out flight paths only. Thus, nobody had any awareness that these flight paths would ever be used and indeed, never expected to be impacted by the north runway”.
“It is nothing short of disgraceful that almost immediately after the North Runway was completed, leading to a greater volume of flights on an almost continuous basis, the DAA decided to defy its longstanding flight-path arrangements”.
“Due to the tireless efforts of volunteers associated with the campaign, a deviation from the flight paths was established, a deviation that would not only be a the most sensible step but also be of immense relief for the long-suffering locals. To date, DAA has not adopted this deviation.”
“Two years on and we’re still hearing the DAA say that it has to strike a balance between expansion and the needs of those living close to the airport. Well, can we credibly say a balance has been struck? Can noise monitors compensate for people's homes being penetrated with continuous noise and interference”.
“A number of months ago, Minister Helen McEntee eventually came to listen to the concerns of so many affected residents, and while it was appreciated, it was a belated gesture. Locals have been flagging this issue for some time and action should’ve taken place sooner. Also, I noted in her comments that there’s no reference to DAA board reform or accountability, just that solutions are possible. Well, without meaningful reform, what’s to prevent another unnamed individual or a collective group of individuals from suddenly imposing more chaos on locals?”
“Sound bites may keep people appeased for a while; however, reform and accountability are what are critical to meeting the needs of the local communities”.
“I attended a meeting just last week from North Runway Technical Group to attend a meeting to discuss the ongoing upheaval to people’s lives and really nothing shows any sign of improving”.
“The impact on their quality of live is absolutely desperate. Here we have people trying to get up for work, babies trying to sleep, elderly people trying to have a peaceful night. It is appalling”.
“I wholeheartedly agree with North Runway Technical Group member Gareth O’Brien when he says that it is now time for Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to appoint directors to the DAA board with “relevant qualifications and experience” in each area of infrastructure development, engineering/environment and aviation and to make them individually responsible for the company’s performance in those areas”
“This is a tangible way of demanding accountability on this issue, which is glaringly absent at the moment”.
“The DAA need to be cognisant that its current activities are impacting communities greatly and causing huge issues for them. There could well be litigation down the line for multiple agencies if they don’t get their act together fast on all of this and correct the situation. At the most recent meeting there was mention of persons initiating personal injury cases. People are genuinely concerned for their children’s welfare. The DAA should have a medical expert on that board for health and safety assessment purposes”.
“Aontú is a party of accountability. Accountability is crucial – without it injustices and missteps will continue to occur without people being held responsible for actions that lead to exact scenarios like this one here”.
“The core principles of the Aontú party is people power and the prioritisation of people over vested interests, and this is one of the most blatant examples of profit before people”.
