David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 11:

In page 10, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following:“(1) Potential affected individuals, whether residential or business related, should be consulted at the pre-planning consultation stage, with applicant and planning authority, in relation to noise and consequential impact.”.

This is a fairly straightforward amendment because the Minister has indicated sympathy with the residents of this area who will be affected. He also said, and he is quite honest in this, that it is a situation that does not allow for a perfect solution for all the parties so one or the other will be inconvenienced and in a situation where industry and the economy of the country are involved, that is the decision the Government will take. However, it seems clear to me that the people who are affected have the right to be consulted with the applicant and planning authority on noise and consequential impact.

I ask the Minister to accept this amendment, particularly in light of the fact that it is giving an undertaking to this House that he will meet with those people. He did say they did not want any theatricality about it and that he wanted an honest and sober meeting and so on, but this amendment only puts into the legislation precisely something the Minister has already agreed to. It states that: "Potential affected individuals, whether residential or business related, should be consulted at the pre-planning consultation stage, with applicant and planning authority, in relation to noise and consequential impact." That is a perfectly fair, reasonable and moral thing to ask.