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Dr James Reilly, who will be a Fine Gael candidate in the Dublin North constituency in next year's general election, spoke to UPROAR while canvassing outside Dunne's Stores, Portmarnock on Saturday last. Dr Reilly, when previously asked about the planned construction of a new runway at Dublin Airport has stated in that: "a full independent assessment of the plan should be carried out to determine the need for the runway and its impact." UPROAR was interested in hearing him expand on that position, and whether his stated position could be taken as that of the Fine Gael Party. This was already the position of potential alternative coalition parties, Labour and the Green Party. Is there an alignment of an alternative coalition policy towards the runway emerging? UPROAR hopes to put that question to Enda Kenny, Fine Gael leader, when he visits Malahide on Tuesday, 20th June. _______________________ UPROAR: Dr Reilly, can you give us your opinion on the proposed new runway at Dublin Airport? Dr James Reilly: I'm quite happy to stand over what I've said already, which is that I believe there needs to be a full independent study done on the necessity for a second runway at Dublin Airport. UPROAR: Have you any comment on the possible health impacts of the proposed runway? Dr. JR: I share the concerns expressed by Dr Anthony Staines of UCD who has criticised the lack of an independent assessment of the health impacts of the new runway. There is quite a weight of new evidence indicating worrying health consequences from aircraft pollution, including serious impacts on children's education due to aircraft noise. UPROAR: Is it enough to leave it to An Bord Pleanála to decide? Dr JR: No. An Bord Pleanála would not constitute an independent inquiry. They are a body that has a different function. This would have to be a proper inquiry set up with clear guidelines and with absolute independence. It clearly could not be commissioned by any of the vested interests. UPROAR: And what about considering alternative locations to Dublin Airport? Should that be on the agenda? Dr.JR: Of course. But that's a broader question, and really is moving into the area which I know is of concern to the people of Portmarnock. That is aviation policy for the country into the future. It's about whether our airport infrastructure should all be condensed into one location or whether we should be looking, as with decentralisation, at a more widespread distribution of such facilities around the country. Clearly, this particular issue needs to be looked at in a full independent study and that hasn't happened yet. UPROAR: Can we take it that this is Fine Gael's position on the runway? Dr.JR: You can take it that it is my position. UPROAR Will you be working on the party? Dr.JR: I will of course, and I'll be using my good offices to influence the party towards that position.
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