Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have been following the debate from my office. For the most part, it has been a very credible debate across all sides, with genuine concerns expressed. The one thing I do not understand is the rush. I am at a loss as to why Fianna Fáil sided with Fine Gael to ensure that we do not have ample time to debate the Bill and move to Report Stage on another day. Listening to the debate on the sections, it is clear that there is a significant amount in the Bill that needs to be teased out, but the Government, with the assistance of Fianna Fáil, is ensuring that it will finish all Stages this evening. That is not the way to do business. I am perplexed at the complete indifference of the Fianna Fáil Party to the debate this evening. Its only representative in the Chamber is from County Kerry. We are talking about Dublin Airport. I am at a loss as to what the people of north Dublin think about that.

What is the reason for the rush to pass this legislation? Senators on this side of the House are genuinely puzzled about that. The Minister can see that people across the Chamber are trying to be constructive - I include Senator Reilly in that, who, in fairness, has at least come to give his perspective in terms of north Dublin. I am at a loss as to why we must rush this through so quickly and why Report and Final Stages cannot be held on another day. That is what a proper debating parliamentary chamber would do on this issue. The people in north Dublin who are watching these proceedings must be at a loss regarding Fianna Fáil's absence from the debate this evening.