Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In response to Senator Craughwell, there is a scheme in place run by the DAA, as he knows, details of which I can supply to him afterwards or tomorrow if he wants. That is something which is based on current valuations, but I am not sure who values them. I am sure I can get details for the Senator. The key point is that the Bill gives control of the buyout scheme to the independent regulator, and that is what it is meant to do. I will encourage the DAA, as I am entitled to do, I suppose, to continue to talk to and give as much reassurance and comfort as possible to residents who are discommoded, and to do so to the very last stage of this process, which will probably last many years. Of course I will. That is the very least I could do. A lot has been done and that should be acknowledged. I do not in any way suggest there is a perfect solution to this. There is never going to be a perfect solution to a problem of this sort. We are doing an enormous amount and will continue to do so. I applaud Senator Craughwell for keeping going on this, even at this late stage. These people presumably will need comfort for a long time to come.

I do not quite understand Senator Norris's point. I am not removing the ingredient of health as a criterion in this. Maybe the Senator misunderstood what I said. I am transposing an EU directive. Of course it is not something over which I have control. I am transposing it into Irish law so that it can implement EU standards of noise abatement at airports. If the Senator is saying I am removing health, I do not understand what he means by that.