Residents with placards at the airport yesterday. The residents may take their case to Brussels

Residents who live next to the site of Dublin airport’s planned new runway have accused the government of ignoring their concerns over noise levels.

A crowd of protesters gathered at the sod-turning ceremony performed by Leo Varadkar, the taoiseach, and Shane Ross, the transport minister, yesterday.

Legislation to establish an independent noise regulator was passed by the Dáil on Wednesday night but residents have criticised the new law which allows Fingal county council to act as the noise regulator.

Community groups in several parts of Fingal including Portmarnock, St Margaret’s and Swords, who are directly under aircraft flight paths, are opposed to this element of the legislation, claiming it presents a “conflict of interest” for the local authority as the airport is a significant ratepayer