An increase in overnight flights into and out of Dublin airport during works on its main runway will lead to greater noise pollution, a local residents’ group has said.
Refurbishing the runway will mean the diversion of overnight flights over Dublin for 15 months.
Laura Reid, the secretary of the Santry Residents' Association, said noise from flights was already an issue in the area. She said the airport was a great asset but "everything must be done" to minimise further noise pollution.
She urged the Dublin Airport Authority to consult further with local residents and businesses over the matter. “People in Santry already have noise from the M50, the M1 and the Port Tunnel,” she said.
Several local councillors expressed support for the runway works regardless of noise pollution, saying the upgrade was in the national interest.
They said Garda helicopters were a more notable source of noise disturbance in the area.
A spokesperson for the DAA said the noise levels generated around the airport were in line with international standards and had been tested over a 92 day period taking into consideration all aircraft types.