Call to extend noise insulation supports for homes near

Dublin Airport

A RECOMMENDATION to extend home noise-insulation support to households affected by lower levels of aircraft noise than those covered under the current arrangements, form part of the measures included in plans to increase the cap on passengers at Dublin airportl.

The public is being urged to take part in a public consultation on noise abatement at Dublin airport.

The consultation relates to a planning application that seeks an increase to the permitted passenger capacity of the airport from 32 million to 40 million passengers per year alongside the development of additional airport infrastructure.

The Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) is the regulatory authority within Fingal County Council for the management of aircraft noise associated with Dublin Airport.

As part of its statutory role, ANCA has assessed the potential aircraft noise impacts associated with the proposed development and prepared a draft

Regulatory Decision outlining proposed noise mitigation measures.

Among the measures proposed is a recommendation to extend home noise-insulation support to households affected by lower levels of aircraft noise than those covered under the current arrangements. The proposed insulation measures are intended to reduce aircraft noise levels inside eligible homes by up to five decibels.

Ethna Felten, Director of Aircraft Noise Competent Authority said: “This consultation provides an important opportunity for stakeholders, including local communities, members of the public, and anyone with an interest in Dublin Airport to review the draft proposals and submit their views before a final Regulatory Decision is made.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Darren O’Rourke, has described the Government’s Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026 as a missed opportunity to address the wider issues affecting communities around Dublin Airport.

Speaking following the Bill’s passage through the Dáil, Deputy O’Rourke said Sinn Féin supports the continued development of Dublin Airport as critical national infrastructure, but that growth must be accompanied by proper planning, accountability and respect for local communities.

“This Bill focuses almost exclusively on the passenger cap while ignoring the wider issues that have undermined public confidence for years,” he said.

“Communities have legitimate concerns about planning compliance, aircraft noise, flight paths and the airport’s responsibilities as a good neighbour. These issues cannot simply be set aside.

“If the Government is serious about supporting the sustainable growth of Dublin Airport, it must also ensure that planning conditions are respected, affected communities are properly consulted, and airport operations are managed in a way that balances national connectivity with quality of life for local residents. I welcome the commitment to an independent review of flight paths but am disappointed that the Minister did not accept Sinn Féin's proposed amendment to solidify that commitment and to shape its design.

“Similarly, the legislation could have been used to provide greater certainty and stronger protections for communities but the Government had chosen not to do so.

“This was an opportunity to take a more balanced approach - one that recognised both the importance of Dublin Airport to the economy and the rights of those living under flight paths and affected by airport operations.

“Those issues remain unresolved, and the Government will have to come back to them sooner rather than later,” he said.