Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, too, congratulate Mr. Ó Ríordáin on his reappointment and wish him well. In regard to the proposal for an aviation fuel pipeline to connect Dublin Port with the airport, is the planning application ready for submission and what are Mr. Ó Ríordáin's views on the proposal? What benefits will the pipeline bring and has daa identified any safety concerns in regard to it? It will take a number of trucks off the road, but they already use the Dublin Port tunnel. I understand similar plans were drawn up several years ago but they were ultimately shelved because the route was very controversial in that the pipeline would pass through residential areas.

Other members asked about the connectivity between the city centre and the airport. Is he happy with the current scenario and what is his opinion on the Swiftway and train link proposals? CIE has proposed a rail link to Clongriffin DART station, which would connect trains with the rest of the country.

Is more information or documentation available to Deputies and Senators regarding the plan and vision for Dublin Airport as a transatlantic hub? Senator Darragh O'Brien asked about the greater Dublin drainage scheme and the plans to have a monster sewerage plant within two miles of Dublin Airport. What is Mr. Ó Ríordáin's opinion on it? Is it appropriate and acceptable? There is major opposition to the proposals to locate the plant on the periphery of the Fingal County Council area. It would service a number of counties and the location does not seem right. Perhaps a series of smaller plants would have been a better option than one monster plant. What forum exists for the local community, stakeholders and public representatives to make criticisms, ask questions or communicate with the daa? How do they go about it?

Regarding IASS, there is major unhappiness among pensioners at the unfairness. The deferred pensioners in particular feel they are being singled out, that there is no equity in the cuts that have been applied and that the cuts should apply to all workers equally. They feel the terms and conditions of their pension arrangements are being broken and they face cuts of 50% to 60%. Under UK pension law, the deferred pensioners in Northern Ireland and the UK cannot be targeted and must receive their benefits. Only the Irish deferred pensioners are being penalised. As Mr. Ó Ríordáin described earlier, these workers have put significant time, effort and service into the airport companies and I am seeking a fairer deal for them.