Revelations show Fingal Council should not be Noise Regulator

Responding to the report in today’s Irish Times, Labour Fingal TD, Brendan Ryan called on Fianna Fáil to get off the fence and reverse the decision to make FCC the noise regulator for Dublin Airport. 

Deputy Ryan said;

“It is deeply concerning that Fingal County Council having highlighted their own extensive role in regards to planning and strategic development for the airport, admitted that they ‘may not be best placed to act as the competent authority’ but will still have this role foisted on them. Thanks to Fine Gael’s tight control of Fianna Fáil as their Government partner” 

”Together they have ignored opposition TDs and the concerns of local community groups in Portmarnock, St Margaret’s, Swords and elsewhere, who are directly under flight paths and opposed to this legislation. But to ignore the concerns of the body being forced to take on this job is somewhat unbelievable.”

 “This could all have been avoided, and I am disappointed at Fianna Fáil’s decision to facilitate this appointment by abstaining on votes, rather than standing up for local residents. While some Fingal TDs like I sought to amend the legislation to prevent this happening, others put propping up the government, over the needs of their constituency. Fianna Fáil facilitated the Government in getting its way by abstaining on key opposition votes.

“Was the Taoiseach aware of this correspondence and if so, how could he allow Minister Ross to proceed with this proposal? As a local TD who works with Fingal County Council and a former Minister for Transport, he must have an appreciation for the position of Fingal.”