Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I open it to the floor I want to make it clear the Minister wrote to the committee on 1 November, stating the Government passed the heads of the Bill and it wanted this legislation passed as quickly as possible. We asked the clerk to have this meeting as soon as we could. It so happens, very unfortunately, that the Minister and committee members who are Members of the Dáil are in the Dáil at Question Time at present. I was not aware of it until it was pointed out to me in a letter yesterday, so I apologise. Nevertheless, we intend to ensure we will have adequate scrutiny today. We will have an opportunity later, on Second Stage in the Dáil and Seanad, and on Committee Stage, to raise all of the issues.

I have several questions before we start. We must support in every possible way any level of security that professionals deem necessary and we must fund this. I have no issue with this. The regulatory impact statement does not include the impact the €1 million may have on the increased costs to consumers or people who use the airport. I am speaking about the ordinary customer. Why was it necessary to bring forward legislation instead of the alternative, which was by way of ministerial order? I would appreciate the witnesses coming back on these points later.