James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to respond to some of the issues raised, in particular those about trying to get this Bill through quickly to ensure we can appoint a noise regulator which everyone wants, in particular the people of Fingal.

Members have also spoken about the health and well-being of the people of Fingal. There are 19,000 people directly employed by Dublin Airport, of whom 80% live in Fingal. Their well-being is contingent on the airport operating. There are 47,200 people in total in Fingal who are employed as a result of the economic activity which goes on at Dublin Airport. There are 98,000 people, outside of the original 19,000 people, who are indirectly employed as a result of activity at Dublin Airport.

Senator Craughwell has been straight in talking about his visits to St. Margaret’s where the people acknowledge that, if we were to follow Senator Ó Donnghaile's suggestion of having it lower than 40 dB, then the airport could not operate.

In his previous contribution on Second Stage, Senator Norris referred to a letter written by Fingal County Council in which it questioned its suitability to be the noise regulator.