Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Let me repeat the legal advice we have on this, which is definitive. We cannot add or take away from this regulation. I wish to comment on the 2002 environmental noise directive to which the Deputies have referred. Obviously, it is open to the regulator to have regard to that when making decisions. However, I cannot possibly do anything but ask the proposer to withdraw this amendment because it would be problematic if it were to be passed. We cannot divert from EU Regulation No. 598/2014. It is as simple as that. We are not allowed to do it. That is the legal advice we have and it is absolutely definitive. I call on the Deputy to withdraw it.

If Deputies want me to look at it at some point between now and Report Stage to see if there is anything we can do, I can do so but I cannot possibly accept the amendment the way it is. It is contrary to the strong legal advice we have received.