Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 37:

In page 10, to delete line 9 and substitute "the stakeholders, including local residents groups and individual residents, are consulted in a transparent way on the intended actions:".

This amendment provides for consultation with residents. Local residents feel left out of the process and have very legitimate concerns about planning issues, in particular, the retrospective changes in the planning of flights and other operations at the airport. The Bill is extremely technical. Can the Minister provide assurances that it does not provide for these changes? If it does, will he point to where exactly in the Bill it is provided for because I have been unable to find it and would like to table an amendment on Report Stage? It is vital that there be consultation with residents and that they be given an opportunity to air their concerns, be it about health, noise pollution and so on, in respect of which there are no safeguards provided for in the Bill. There have been references in the media to residents having the option of moving out of the area.

Many of the residents have lived in the area for decades. It is vital there is consultation with the local community. I hope that the Minister will accept the amendment in order that consultation will take place.