Cork groups object to third Dublin runway

A NUMBER of objections have been made by Cork groups against a proposed third runway being built at Dublin Airport.

The challenges against the proposed €320 million runway come from a number of different areas including environmental concerns to fears of an increase in the monopoly held by the Dublin Airport Authority.

The chamber of commerce have expressed fears that a further runway in Dublin would have huge negative implications for regional airports such as Cork and Shannon, who have seen a drop in their market share in recent years.

James Ring, chief executive of the Limerick Chamber said “we must create an environment for the regions to fulfil their potential, create greater opportunity in the regions, relieve the burden from Dublin and make Dublin a better place to live.”

He says that a third runway would be a huge threat to the regional development set out by the National Planning Framework.

“Right now, the DAA monopoly is mopping up the growth, with 86% of the market, up from 81% five years ago. Cork’s market share has dropped alarmingly and Shannon to a lesser degree,” he added.

A challenge has also been introduced by the Cork environmental group Friends of the Irish Environment, who claim that the granting of planning permission for the runway is not in compliance with various EU directives such as the 2000 Planning and Development Act and is therefore “unlawful.”

The environmental group also argues that the decision also breaks constitutional rights to bodily integrity as the runway would result in an increase in greenhouse gases which accelerate climate change.

Other challenges have been brought against the runway by individuals in Dublin.