An organisation which represents residents living near Dublin airport who claim they are adversely impacted by aircraft noise has said the airport must adhere to planning permission and legal obligations restricting night time flights.
The Fingal Organised Residents United Movement (FORUM) said the current dispute over night flights at the airport could have been avoided if operator daa had complied with planning conditions.
Its comments came as freight transport companies warned overnight flights are vital for trade and must continue.
Yesterday the High Court granted daa a stay on an enforcement notice issued by Fingal County Council requiring the average number of flights at the airport between 11pm and 7am each night to be brought down to 65 or less within six weeks.
It followed an investigation which found the airport was not complying with a planning condition for the new north runway that requires aircraft movements at the airport to be at or below that limit each night, when averaged over a 92-day reference period.
The court also gave daa leave to bring judicial review proceedings over the issue, which is not likely to be heard for several months.
But FORUM said it welcomed the council's enforcement action and criticised the airport operator’s approach to the matter.
"It is our health, our children’s health, our grandchildren's health and our ability to have a peaceful night's sleep that are being taken from us by this approach," said FORUM in a statement.
"We and many others have been highlighting the alleged non-compliance with planning conditions since the north runway opened and despite daa stating otherwise, it is now clear to everyone that in relation to this particular condition of planning, they are indeed in breach of the planning condition 5 and the law."
"Dublin Airport is an important part of our national and international infrastructure, but must still adhere to planning permission and legal obligations like every other citizen in this country."
FORUM also said that daa has had 16 years to comply with the restrictions on night flights but instead chose to grow more quickly than their planning permission allowed.
The organisation added that it will await further decisions from Fingal County Council on other aspects of its ongoing investigations into the planning conditions for the north runway.
However, the organisation representing freight transport companies here has said night flights at Dublin airport provide a vital corridor for Irish trade and should be allowed to continue.
"Night flights are critical to the continued and efficient supply chain across Ireland," said Aidan Flynn, CEO of The Freight Transport Association of Ireland.
"They ensure that time sensitive goods such as specialist foods and high value items can be delivered at the start of the working day, maximising productivity for thousands of organisations across the country, and ensuring minimal delays for consumers."
"Air freight makes a significant contribution to the Irish economy – cargo night flying supports €1.1 billion pa in GDP and 15,000 jobs, and accounts for 38% of all freight transported via Dublin Airport."
He added that reducing night flight slots would have a disproportionate impact on logistics businesses and their customers across Ireland, and reduce the effectiveness of Irish trade, as well as having a significant impact on services to European and global supply chain partners.
