Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister's officials for taking the time to contact me yesterday following a telephone call about the Bill and for all of the time they were willing to spend discussing the issues involved. I also thank the Minister for making himself available today to engage in a discussion prior to the debate. It is certainly reassuring that both he and his officials are willing to listen and engage.

I am delighted to see in the presentation made by the Minister that economic factors will not be the sole drivers of development at Dublin Airport. That aspect of the Bill is commendable and it is reassuring because so much can be driven against people's wishes purely on an economic basis.

I know from my engagement with the Minister today that he has engaged with residents. However, there is a small cohort in St. Margaret's whom I believe need further engagement with him or his officials. I met four of them in the early hours of yesterday morning when I went to the area to experience the noise levels for myself. There is no doubt that the noise levels in aircraft taking off every five minutes or thereabouts are hard to take. We were in the sittingroom of a newly built house which was well insulated, with PVC windows, when a large jet took off and one could not hear anybody else speak. Therefore, noise is a serious problem.