I am sure that the Taoiseach will agree the second runway at Dublin Airport is of critical strategic importance for the economy. The Dublin Airport Authority is relying on the establishment of an independent noise regulator to progress the necessary infrastructure, as are the residents in the area. The Minister, Deputy Ross, wasted 18 months on the establishment of the Irish Aviation Authority as the independent noise regulator. That failed. We were informed at the start of this year that the new Bill to make Fingal County Council the independent competent authority was urgent and was going to be prioritised. Despite this, we are falling behind the timelines set for the Bill by the Department and the Government. Two weeks ago, we had pre-legislative scrutiny that had been due to commence at the start of September and was due to be completed by 30 September. It has not been completed. Two weeks on, we are still awaiting answers on critical questions that were raised at pre-legislative scrutiny. Does the Taoiseach feel it was right and appropriate for the Minister, Deputy Ross, not to attend pre-legislative scrutiny to answer concerns from Opposition Deputies? How can we have confidence that the Minister is going to bring this critical legislation before the Houses of the Oireachtas as promised before the end of this year?

My understanding is that pre-legislative scrutiny is usually handled by officials rather than by Ministers. Of course the Minister, Deputy Ross, comes into the House regularly to answer oral questions and respond to Topical Issue matters.