Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The noise regulator is independent and it can decide what independents do. We cannot put pressure on them or tell them what to do, etc.. It will be working within the confines of an EU directive. That directive states specifically that restrictions are a last resort. It is not anticipated that this will be the first choice at all. We may be right but we may be wrong. Restrictions are not regarded in the EU directive as the first port of call. If I were to anticipate, I would anticipate that it would look strongly at the restrictions already in place. I do not propose to second-guess what the regulator will decide because that would be irresponsible and wrong but it will be working within the confines of the EU directive which, to put it in its bluntest form, is a pro-airport directive.