Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses mentioned that they have met members of the community, including the residents’ group of St. Margaret’s and the Ward. They were not met individually but as part of the environmental group and CLG meeting. These involve big meetings, with only one question asked. It was stated at our last hearing that airport representatives would meet the residents’ group of St. Margaret’s and the Ward. We have had its representatives before the committee and I ask the DAA to meet them again. Relations with the community are at an all-time low, and we need to resolve that no matter where this goes. I asked Mr. Jacobs to meet them as soon as possible.

On noise, Thornton Hall has been earmarked as a site for international protection applicants. The noise range there is between 55 dB and 59 dB whereas the WHO recommends a safe limit of 45 dB. Therefore, I ask that the witnesses engage with the relevant Department in respect of the site in question if it is going to build there. International protection applicants deserve the same level of noise protection as anyone else living in this country.

I will finish up on the subject of noise. In the Portmarnock area – at Portmarnock DART station, for example – ANCA’s own noise-abatement policy has been breached in the past two years. At Portmarnock DART station, the noise level is 55 dB plus. Again, there is no talk of insulation for the area. We could have another two-hour meeting and more rounds on this, and there are more issues to discuss, but those are the points I would like to finish on.