Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I give credit to Senator Reilly for standing up for the people in the area in which he lives. He has made what he believes is the correct decision, obviously in support of the Government, which is more than Fianna Fáil has done. I refute the notion the Minister outlined in his first contribution that we have no interest in jobs and the ripple effects on the economy from the airport. That is disingenuous, if that is what he is saying, and that is partly how I interpreted it.

As Senator Craughwell said, what is the priority? Is it jobs at any cost or is it the health and well-being of communities, including their economic health and well-being? They need to be at the forefront. Rushing the Bill through makes a mockery of any discussion on how we can provide for the health and well-being of communities, including their economic health, because people need money in their pockets to be well and afford things to keep them in their community and happy.

Senator Craughwell mentioned that different solutions had been offered, as is the case in dealing with issues of homelessness, relocation and so on. It seems, however, that the Government wants to plough through with everything and allow no time to take a breath to understand what is happening in communities, with which we have sat down to listen to them. Fair play to Senator Craughwell who went to listen to the noise levels in the area. I do not know who else here has done that or who else has tried to get the Minister's ear. However, he has decided against the odds to push the Bill through, which is shameful.