Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support both my colleagues in respect of amendment No. 47. Again, it is about a balanced approach. It cannot be for the DAA alone to decide whether to seek a review. As things change, residents need to be able to do so and not just in the five-year period. The Minister mentioned exceptional circumstances. I have always supported responsible and reasonable growth of the airport, which is very important. Residents and people in north Dublin also support this. As I said to the Minister during meetings of this committee in the summer, the airport is a major employer and investor and a crucial part of our national infrastructure. Having said that, impacted communities need to have a say as well. It is important, particularly with amendment No. 47, that this balance is struck. By putting this amendment forward, Deputy Clare Daly is striking that balance and showing a balanced approach.

I agree with Deputy Troy about possibly allowing the competent authority to decide on each case so that a complaint or observation can be made but that the competent authority cannot be directed to deal with every single one of them because someone could write to the authority every day, as happens from time to time. We would still be giving the competent authority the discretion to decide whether the matter is sufficiently serious to take forward. Amendment No. 47 strengthens the legislation and makes it better. I see no reason the Minister would not take the amendment on board, whereas I can understand why he would not accept amendment No. 48.