Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Continuing the discussion on the correspondence between Fingal County Council and the Department, the council stated that it had "an extensive remit in both shaping and determining the strategic direction of Dublin Airport", questioning, therefore, its independence to do the job. It also referenced the European legislation. The Minister replied that the letter was written in 2017, which we have confirmed. That makes absolutely no difference whatsoever.

Nothing has changed in the intervening period to make Fingal County Council independent of this process. The Minister also said last night that the council's concerns have now been addressed. How could its concerns have been addressed if the relationship has not changed in that time? The issue is not whether Fingal County Council's concerns have been addressed. The issue is whether the independence required to comply with EU Regulation No. 598/2014 has been addressed. There are serious questions to be answered here.

I asked a question last night and I did not get an answer in the Minister's response. I will ask it again and demand an answer. Did the Minister bring it to the attention of his colleagues and of the Taoiseach that this was a factor and that Fingal County Council had written to him? Were the Taoiseach and his Cabinet colleagues aware of this, because it is a very important matter? I asked about this last night and I am looking for an answer. I would be surprised if the Taoiseach was to run with this.

Fianna Fáil's position on this is that, although there are some concerns about Fingal County Council, An Bord Pleanála is there to pick up the tab if there is an issue. That is like saying it is okay for a judge who has a vested interest in a case to hear that case on the basis that there is an appeals mechanism. It is absolute nonsense.

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