Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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59. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe regarding planned legislation to establish the competent authority under EU 598/2014. [17723/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Since the Government decision in January this year to designate Fingal County Council as the Competent Authority for EU Regulation 598/2014, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, has been drafting primary legislation.  That work, which I am advised has been very detailed and technical in nature, is primarily focusing on the interaction between the Noise Regulation, the EU Environmental Noise Directive and the planning framework. 

As the Deputy will be aware, there are a number of steps to be taken before a draft Bill formally reaches the Oireachtas for First Stage of the legislative process, including technical drafting work by the Office of Parliamentary Council and pre-legislative scrutiny before the Joint Oireachtas Committee.  At such time as I am presented with a draft Bill that has cleared these hurdles then I will be able to advise you, with an acceptable level of certainty, of the estimated timeframe for the legislative process.  I can tell you that it is a priority for me and for my Department.