Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very keen to accommodate the Deputy but I cannot do so. Let me explain. I cannot share the legal advice because it is privileged. I would love to share it but I cannot. I cannot support this amendment because I have received definitive legal advice that we cannot add to or take away from the provisions provided in the Bill. I do not seek to counter the arguments that have been made for the amendment and agree that it would be very useful if the latest environmental noise directive was included in the consideration of the noise regulator but I cannot include it in the legislation because to do so would be inconsistent with all of the other European legislation. In the light of what has been stated, we will reconsider the question and revert to members on Report Stage, which would be reasonable. The Deputy is asking me to do something which I cannot do. However, I can pose the question again and try to accommodate the Deputy in some way between now and Report Stage if that is possible. That said, I cannot and will not agree to the amendment.