Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Troy is right when he says there is a need for urgency. We need to get the second runway going because the airport is running at close to full capacity and could be running over capacity if we are not very careful. While I absolutely accept the need for urgency, I emphasise that there are conflicting rights here. Obviously, the Irish nation has the right to have a fully working economy and needs an airport that is working at capacity for those purposes. Residents also have rights, however, for example with regard to the noise issues. The delays in this regard have been caused by those conflicting rights. I assure the House that I understand the urgency in this regard. I am aware of it on a daily basis. I have made it quite clear that primary legislation will be introduced in alteration of the Planning and Development Acts to regularise the relationship between An Bord Pleanála and the Irish Aviation Authority. There will almost certainly be a statutory instrument as well. We are waiting to hear from the Attorney General on that.

Deputy Daly has proposed the novel idea that consumers and activists who are not part of the great and the good in these State monopolies should automatically be parachuted from on high onto State boards. Although I have made a suggestion in my new plan for appointments to State boards, I am not making any promises in this regard. I think there is a case for allowing ordinary consumers who use these services of organisations like the daa and the Road Safety Authority, or are involved in a different way in these areas, to be put on the boards of such bodies. Vacancies on the board of the daa will come up shortly. I will consider advertising in public for the users of these services to get involved. I am not making any promises with regard to political activists. I am not sure that would necessarily be-----

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