Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

It is extremely frustrating for residents that the Minister does not even seem to bother offering a good reason as to why he will not include this in the legislation. He has not even tried to formulate a reason, he has just said that he will incorporate it later.

A number of the residents who are in the Public Gallery have done a lot of research on the topic because they have to. Their lives are extremely impacted upon by the airport. One of the residents monitored early morning flights, and these amendments are really getting at night and early morning flights and the impact on health. There were 71 departures from Dublin Airport between 4.45 a.m. and 6.50 a.m. on Monday. That is a time when people are trying to sleep, and need to sleep. That number will only increase if a new runway is introduced. That is the point and that is why people want health to be a consideration in the enhancement and development of the airport and this legislation.

The impact on business travellers if too many restrictions are applied is one of the matters that has been mentioned.

However, it has been ascertained that most of these flights are for ordinary holiday travel and not business. Accordingly, it is an erroneous reason.

All of the statistics about the WHO have been given. The Minister, however, does not seem to be in any way interested. He is putting the unrestricted profit-making of airlines above the interests of residents. Nobody has said flights should stop. However, residents want the basic health impact to be recognised as a key component in legislation. The Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, has made it clear that it will increase these early morning and night flights. Residents just want a simple recognition that health has to be a factor in this legislation. The arrogant way the Minister does not even bother coming up with answers is incredible.

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