David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 18:

In page 37, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following:

“Costs

12.Any costs incurred by individuals and community groups, should be borne by the applicant, and overseen by the competent authority, in relation to any aircraft noise related planning projects and permissions.”.

This amendment simply states that: "Any costs incurred by individuals and groups should be borne by the applicant, and overseen by the competent authority, relating to any aircraft noise relating planning projects and permissions." This to me seems only fair. If people are inconvenienced by aircraft noise and they have to make a submission, why should they have to pay in addition to experiencing the pain and discomfort? It seems to me to be a perfectly reasonable amendment. I note my amendment No. 25 has not been grouped with this.It should have been as amendment No. 25 states: "Where aircraft noise severely impacts on individual residents, the affected residents, shall be permitted to have an independent health, environmental and noise assessment conducted, with costs fully covered by the applicant, and to select experts of their choice, and reports submitted to the competent noise authority." Again, this amendment deals with the expenses of individuals living in this area who are blighted. I do not see any reason they should be forced to pay out of their own pockets for these costs.

I will not be here to move amendment No. 25. If any Senators wish to do so they are welcome. I have spoken on these amendments and they seem to be reasonable but I do not anticipate the Minister actually accepting them. However, they are important because the burden should not be placed on individual citizens but should be borne by the people making the noise.