Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My officials met Deputy Darragh O'Brien earlier today on this issue and they were impressed. When they presented me with the arguments the Deputy had presented them with, I felt that they had some merit. There are obviously one or two difficulties in the way this is framed but there is an opportunity for a discussion between now and Report Stage which will accommodate what Deputies Darragh O'Brien, Clare Daly and Brendan Ryan want as well, without in any way impacting adversely on the Bill.

I understand the Deputy's concerns for local residents and noise insulation is clearly a proven measure to offset the impact of noise. While I am of the view that this amendment, as currently framed, is not a workable solution, I am prepared to look at what can be done on Report Stage to address the concerns the Deputy has and to honour the intention of his proposed amendment.

It is important to recognise that the Bill provides full legal powers for the new noise regulator to include any and all noise mitigation measures as it sees fit, in order to reduce the impact of aircraft noise at Dublin Airport. This includes home insulation schemes, which would be introduced based on a detailed noise assessment at the airport that would determine who is affected by aircraft noise and to what degree. It is the regulator's noise assessment, which we should remember will be the subject of full public consultation, that will make sure that those most affected would be protected. I accept that it is for the future and that the Deputy is concerned about the present. While I have every confidence that the Bill allows for the regulator to take into account current schemes in any future regulatory decision and incorporate any additions or improvements to those schemes' example, I will see if there is a way of making that more explicit on Report Stage.

There is an important point to be made about the regulatory framework that we are providing here and there are a number of amendments before us today which reinforce this point. Simply put, if the DAA does not comply with a noise regulator decision, the regulator has strong enforcement powers and if the decision of the regulator is deemed insufficient, then that can be appealed to An Bord Pleanála and the board has sweeping powers within this Bill to look at any and all matters again in full.