Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Senator Norris made many of the points I wished to make. It is very clear that Fingal County Council has skin in the game if it receives €29 million in rates. Everybody in this House wants to protect Dublin Airport and its investment, but we have to take into consideration the local residents and the impact on them. They must be treated fairly. As Senator Norris pointed out, the WHO has raised significant concerns. I wish to be associated with those comments.

I am quite concerned about Fingal Country Council being the regulator. Another section of a letter from Ms AnnMarie Farrelly of Fingal County Council concerned the matter of independence. She wrote:

In this regard, and again in the context of clause 13, it may be that other independent bodies, which do not hold conflicting responsibilities in the provision of other functions that influence the development of Dublin Airport, should be considered for appointment as 'Competent Authority' for the purpose of Regulation.

The local authority itself clearly recognises that it may have a conflict of interests. This also undermines the confidence of the local community in the regulator.