David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister quotes from an EU directive which is outside his remit and to which, as far as I know, he made no contribution whatever. This EU directive suggests that there should be consideration of health, which the Minister is removing from the Bill. These are the very aspects that he is removing from it. I do not regard Fingal County Council as an appropriate regulatory authority at all. There is a clear conflict of interest. This directive suggests it should consider health but the Minister has removed the section that provides for an assessment of the impact of the decision on the well-being and health of local residents. How can they properly consider it when they are deprived of an assessment? It is expecting them to make bricks without straw. They cannot do it. I do not accept what the Minister is saying at all. It seems to me that there is a clear determination to undermine health and well-being. Senator Craughwell is very amenable and very reasonable in what he says. If what he says about the residents is true, that they are prepared to compromise, although I am not sure how many groups are prepared to compromise, so be it. It does seem to me that there is something very underhand about the way in which the question of health is being treated.