Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the Deputy on this. The impression before he became Minister was that he would go through brick walls to resolve issues, be tough taking on the Department and be on the side of the residents in getting the optimum resolution. His responses to these amendments, however, seem wimpish. It seems the Department told him he could not accept them and that was it. Will he give us chapter and verse as to why he cannot accept these amendments? What is the impediment to accepting them?

It is not a question of insulating people’s houses against aircraft noise. People have back gardens and other recreational spaces. I live besides Weston Airport and in the summer we have small aircraft zooming over our heads every two minutes. Large aircraft taking off and landing late at night and early in the morning at Dublin Airport will make it pretty much impossible for people to enjoy their homes, gardens and so forth. The optimum protection should apply in this case.

Why is there is such resistance to it? I would appreciate if the Minister could explain what efforts he has made and fights he has had, if any, to see if these amendments can be accepted. It is not obvious that this is a good way to go with this legislation.

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