Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The response of the Minister on this issue was shocking. It was he who, in response to this debate, raised the issue of the EU directive and stated that it could not be changed. He went down a cul-de-sac in his reply because he felt that he had been attacked. He shirked his ministerial responsibility to deal with the issues at the heart of this debate which mean so much to people living in the affected area. He stated that conflict of interest issues have been dealt with, but they have not. Those issues have been comprehensively put forward by Members across all Opposition groups on this side of the House but the Minister has not rebutted any of their reasoned objections. I am shocked by his behaviour.

We have a chance to do something good tonight. The Government made a strategic decision in 2017 to set up a single aviation regulator which would be responsible for economic, safety and security regulation. That process is under way. The strategic group charged with delivering it is due to report before the summer. I refer to the new CAR which has not been evaluated. No conflict of interest in regard to CAR has been perceived or articulated at any stage of the process. The only objection to its being appointed regulator is that it does not have sufficient staff to carry out that duty. As Deputy Troy pointed out, neither does Fingal County Council. If Fingal County Council can recruit the required staff and garner sufficient expertise, CAR could do likewise. Legislation would be required to allow it to assume a revamped role, but we are discussing regulation to give effect to this regulatory function. CAR is the best fit as regulator and its appointment as such would be in keeping with decisions made by several of our EU partners. It would also avoid the point made by Deputy Brendan Ryan that by proceeding with Fingal County Council as regulator, the Government is leaving itself open to legal challenges.

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