Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister and his officials. It is long overdue that we are having this discussion. We can all agree that the second runway is critical to our national infrastructure and the development of our country. The Minister outlined a clear timeframe, but this is not the first time he has outlined a timeframe. It is not the first time he has given an indication as to when he expects delivery of the competent authority. For 18 months he told me repeatedly in the Dáil it would be the IAA. In fact, legislation was imminent on three separate occasions. How can we have confidence today that what he is saying to us will be delivered and will be accurate? How can Fingal County Council have confidence that what he is saying today will be delivered and accurate? Did the Minister meet the CEO of Fingal County Council? Did he hear the concerns of Fingal County Council about its ability to become the competent authority?

I mentioned the 18 months wasted with regard to the IAA. Even in February of this year, the Minister facilitated a briefing with his officials at which we were advised we would have the legislation in weeks. Earlier this year, the Minister indicated he would have a draft Bill before the Dáil recess. The recess is tomorrow and we know we will not have a draft Bill until October. When was the Minister informed of the delays? When did he know there would not be a Bill before the Dáil recess? What is the reason for the delay? Is there a delay because of resource issues in the Department? Is it because there is not the relevant expertise in the Department? Is the Minister satisfied with the manner in which the Department has conducted the process? Has Fingal County Council received independent legal advice on whether there is a need for primary legislation as opposed to a statutory instrument? If so, has it shared that legal advice with the Minister?

This is an EU regulation, therefore, there is a requirement on all European countries to implement it. How many of our European counterparts have implemented this regulation to date? The Minister keeps saying we are taking a pot shot or cheap political shot at him. How many of his counterparts have implemented this? What are other countries doing regarding the establishment of an independent regulator? My understanding is that a number of them have appointed their equivalent of the Irish Aviation Authority. Did the legal advice recommend for 18 months that the IAA be appointed? Has the legal advice changed or is it that the person who is giving the legal advice has changed?

Head 15 of the Bill refers to declassifying the development of Dublin Airport as strategic infrastructure development. Will that have ramifications down the road in terms of any future application the airport would have to make? The Minister stated the reason responsibility was taken from the IAA was the perception of a conflict of interest. Does the Minister not feel that very same perception could be given, given that the DAA is by far the largest ratepayer to Fingal County Council? He who pays the piper calls the tune. Does he think it will have undue influence in terms of being the largest ratepayer? What will he do to mitigate against that perceived conflict of interest?

Is the Minister aware the local residents' group, to which he referred in his statement, was satisfied with the IAA being appointed the competent authority. It was satisfied the IAA would act in an independent fashion, but it is anxious and concerned about Fingal County Council. Is the Minister aware of this?