Seanad debates

Tuesday, 16 April 2019

Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

2:30 pm

Photo of Kevin HumphreysKevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response to my suggestion. I will sit down and mention the structures in question in detail. That is to endeavour to ensure that the residents will at least get something out of this. Like Senator Craughwell, I accept the figures here. This is not to undermine the debate or discussion on the amendments. The Minister is right that they are important. They need to be teased out, especially the next round of amendments. I certainly have a different interpretation from the Minister's of EU Regulation No. 598/2014 and we need to tease that out. I am anxious that we have what the Minister calls a piece of theatre. There was no better man than the Minister at giving theatre when he was over on this side. I mean that as a compliment rather than a criticism. Sometimes the focus can move off and the debate in the Dáil and Seanad moves on. The communities and people of St. Margaret's, Baldoyle and Portmarnock are left to pick up the pieces with nowhere to turn. To get something out of this, a defined structure would not solve every problem, but could alleviate some problems. The much maligned Dublin Docklands Development Authority had a community forum with a little muscle that made a difference to local communities in the long run during that development. There are templates of structures. Dublin Port is another. I could name many more. Maybe we could pick the best idea that would help local communities to get some respite. I thank the Minister for the offer I think he is prepared to make. I would certainly like to work and build on that. I do not intend to speak further on this set of amendments.

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