David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to ask about something that arises from what Senator Craughwell said. He spoke about being in a newly built house. Why are houses being built in this area in the first place? It is madness. How are people getting planning permission to build them? It is a complete nonsense. In this country we seem to be building houses on floodplains, in places where there is airport noise pollution and so on. This is quite extraordinary. There are impacts on health from such noise pollution, despite what Senator Reilly said. It has significant ill-effects on the health of a population, including with respect to children's cognition and learning, cardiovascular health, sleep disturbance and annoyance.

I notice that the Minister just stated that Fingal County Council is to be designated as the independent noise regulator. He made a robust defence of this and suggested there is no conflict of interest. Even in his own contribution there is a conflict of interest. One of the areas over which the council is charged is land use, planning and management. This is classic. It could not be clearer. There is a conflict of interest. I have to say, with very engaging honesty, Fingal County Council has acknowledged this. Senator Reilly referred to a letter that was written by Ms AnnMarie Farrelly, director of services, planning and strategic infrastructure department, Fingal County Council. She states:

In the light of the existing complex and varied role that Fingal County Council plays, as outlined above, it is considered that the Council may not be best placed to act as the 'Competent Authority' for the purpose of the implementation of the Regulation 598/14 with particular reference to clause 13. Clause 13 states that "The competent authority responsible for adopting noise-related operating restrictions should be independent of any organisation involved in the airport's operation, air transport or air navigation service provision, or representing the interests thereof and of the residents living in the vicinity of the airport. This should not be understood as requiring Member States to modify their administrative structures of decision-making procedures."

In other words the council is saying it is not independent.