David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister back to this House, where he previously distinguished himself. I am also concerned at the undermining of democracy by the intention to take all Stages today. That leaves us no time whatever for submitting amendments on Report Stage and this is obviously a curtailment of democracy, of which I very strongly disapprove.

Amendment No. 1 states:

“ “Balanced Approach” means both the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) agreed hierarchy of measures designed to reduce the adverse impact of aircraft noise on those living in the vicinity of an airport, described as ICAO’s ‘Balanced Approach’ and the recommendations for aircraft noise published in the World Health Organisation’s report Night Noise Guidelines for Europe 2018...”.

This was produced at the whim or instruction of the environment Ministers of the EU. It is worth putting on the record of the House exactly what the World Health Organization report states in this regard, namely: "For average noise exposure, the GDG strongly recommends reducing noise levels produced by aircraft below 45 dB [...] as aircraft noise above this level is associated with adverse health effects." The Minister may not recollect this but I put on the record the last time that the difference between 45 dB and 55 dB is not just a 10 unit increase but a massive increase, and when one gets to 60 dB, it is vast and is about 16 times what is recommended. The report continues: "For night noise exposure, the GDG strongly recommends reducing noise levels produced by aircraft during night time below 40 dB [...] as night time aircraft noise above this level is associated with adverse effects on sleep." Therefore, it is a health issue. It continues:

To reduce health effects, the GDG strongly [I emphasise that it states "strongly"] recommends that policy-makers implement suitable measures to reduce noise exposure from aircraft in the population exposed to levels above the guideline values for average and night noise exposure. For specific interventions the GDG recommends implementing suitable changes in infrastructure.

One of the people from whom I received the text of this report is a resident in the area affected by high levels of noise and he and his family have been living there for some time. He said that while the lowering of the limits may have some consequences for the DAA and the management of air traffic at the airport, it is imperative that the health and well-being of the communities living close to the airport are fully considered. He points out he is a local resident and father of a young family who already experience sleep disruption from aircraft noise on an almost nightly basis. This is the lived experience of people in this area. This man has to cope with children who are unable to sleep because of the noise of the aircraft. He says he finds the rather disingenuous, unbalanced and frankly arrogant approach taken thus far by the Minister, Deputy Ross, the DAA and their supporters in regard to the new runway and this Bill very unsettling indeed.

I would like to point to another of the amendments that is included in this group, amendment No. 12, which states: "In page 11, to delete lines 2 to 4." This relates to section 9(2)(c). Section 9 reads as follows:

(1) The competent authority shall ensure that the noise situation at the airport is assessed in accordance with the European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 549 of 2018) and the Environmental Noise Directive.

(2) The competent authority shall ensure that the Balanced Approach is adopted where a noise problem at the airport has been identified and, to that end, shall further ensure that, as appropriate.

What the Minister is seeking to delete, at section 9(2)(c), is the following: "the likely effect of the identified noise mitigation measures and operating restrictions (if any) is thoroughly evaluated in relation to its projected impact on the well-being and health of local residents;". Can a responsible Cabinet Minister bring to this House an attempt to remove something that deals with the health and well-being of residents? This is an astonishing thing to do. I want the Minister to explain what it is that is wrong with this paragraph that requires deletion. Surely we want the maximum information in this area. We are looking for facts. We are looking to understand what is the situation on the ground for these residents.I strongly oppose amendment No. 12 which is absolutely disgraceful. I do not understand how a Minister can have so little regard for the health and well-being of constituents. I will be very surprised if Fianna Fáil does not come on board on this issue because I know that Senator Mark Daly who is here representing his party made all kinds of promise to the people of St. Margaret's about what he would not do and all the rest. Let us see some action by him.