Work to begin on new runway at Dublin Aiport
The first sod on Dublin Airport's new north runway will be turned by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Transport Minister Shane Ross later today.
The runway is seen as essential to the ongoing growth of passenger numbers at the airport.
The plans have been opposed by many nearby residents, with a number of legal challenges taking place before work started on the project.
Public Affairs Director at Dublin Airport, Paul O'Kane, says they are trying to be as mindful as possible of people living around the airport.
"We realise that some of our local neighbouring communities have concerns in relation to the runway, and there's a balance to be struck between those concerns and the needs of the Irish economy," he said.
"The new noise regulator will be appointed shortly and we're investing heavily in terms of mitigation measures at the airport.
"We're insulating about 200 houses here, and we're offering to voluntarily buy up 38 properties that are most affected by the new runway and we're investing about €10m in the local community," he said.
