Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to add my voice to the concerns about the development of Dublin Airport and the additional runway, which I have been raising continually since my election to the Seanad. I refer to the effect on the surrounding areas, specifically St. Margaret's, Portmarnock, Kinsealy and Malahide. As the Minister knows, I lived in Portmarnock for several years. I invited the Minister to my home to experience for himself the noise difficulties experienced in that area. It is having a significant impact on people's health, well-being and safety. I would like the Minister to engage further, even at this late stage, with the local community and the officials in his Department to find a solution to this. Jobs are important and Dublin Airport is very important to north County Dublin, but communities and people's lives and well-being are also very important.The other transport infrastructure around the airport also needs to be upgraded in conjunction with the development of the airport. I would like the Minister to discuss with the local communities how we can all move forward with this. We know how important Dublin Airport is for the development of the whole economy and country, but the country is made up of more than just the economy; it is also about communities.

I want to specifically refer to the people living in St. Margaret's who have been made quite a low offer by the DAA in regard to the buying out of their properties. Senator Craughwell referred to this offer already, which is the value of the house plus 30%. As he pointed out, it is very hard to value a house that is on a flight path. The more correct way of dealing with this would be the replacement value of that house plus a premium on top. I appeal to the Minister at this late stage to liaise with the DAA and to make better offers to these people. In the grand scheme of things, it is not going to be a huge additional cost but it would transform the lives of those people, who have been living under threat for a number of years.

Many colleagues have referred to the shambolic handling of the noise regulation directive. This shambolic handling has resulted in treating the local communities with contempt, which is all I can call it. The Minister first indicated that the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, would be appointed and the authority began making plans to fulfil that role. He also maintained that primary legislation would not be needed but the Attorney General then advised that the IAA was not suitable and that legislation would, in fact, be needed. That put further doubt on the Minister's plans and, again, treated the local communities with contempt.

We raised the need to appoint a competent authority on 25 occasions between late 2016 and late 2018 and these requests were constantly ignored by the Government. Delay and incompetence prevailed. All parties have tried to work with the Government to improve this Bill. A number of amendments were put forward in the Dáil and we will be tabling further amendments in the Seanad.

We have serious concerns with Fingal County Council being appointed. Senator Noone said it would be ideal for an independent body to be appointed as the competent authority. It is not that it is ideal; it is essential that there is independence. Clearly, Fingal County Council is not independent, it does not have the expertise and it is not enthusiastic about it. I deal with people in Fingal County Council all the time and know they are not enthusiastic about this new role. I would like the Minister to outline what supports and extra resources he is going to provide to Fingal County Council in order that it can perform this role adequately.

I would like the Minister to meet with the residents, sit down and see how we can all move forward. This airport development is very important for north County Dublin and the country, and the local communities are just as important.