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Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026 for the consideration of the House. The main purpose of this Bill is to address the passenger cap planning condition at Dublin Airport. The importance of addressing the passenger cap and its effects on Dublin Airport is recognised clearly in the programme … Government, which includes a clear commitment to work with stakeholders to achieve the objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport as soon as possible. I have met with a wide variety of stakeholders over the past 18 months, including local residents, airlines, business groups and industry

line, is subject to significant challenge and is reflective of a real looseness within this legislation. Regardless of one's position on the passenger cap, and I live in and represent a constituency that is not far from the airport, many people understand that … legislation would be a good opportunity to address some of those concerns. Instead, it looks like the Government wants to quickly lift the passenger cap, give significant powers to the Minister and march on regardless, paying no attention to flight paths that were never intended or provided

aviation strategy is essential. As Ireland's primary international gateway and a critical piece of infrastructure, Dublin Airport is fundamental. Right now, the passenger cap is being constrained by a rule that no longer makes sense. The cap is outdated and out of step with reality. Some … rounding error; it is proof that something has not been working. We in Sinn Féin believe the Dublin Airport passenger cap should be lifted but we are not here just to rubberstamp the legislation. While the cap must be lifted in order that we allow for progress, that

Minister knows, Ireland is an island and, therefore, its connectivity to the rest of the world is essential. The passenger cap at Dublin Airport is simply not working. In 2025, the cap was exceeded by around 4 million. Not only is it not working, it is not being … adhered to. The Government must be mindful that any increase in the passenger cap at Dublin Airport will put pressure on existing services. As was said already, Dublin Airport is an important employer. I was contacted recently by a pilot from my area about car parking issues

connectivity" to ensure that the Minister does not have free rein to cite international connectivity as a reason to get rid of the passenger cap and that there are some guardrails for citing this reason. Section 25 sets out the grounds on which the Minister can decide … jobs and there could be no question that we need a proper aviation strategy. Dublin Airport is fundamental to that, but the passenger cap has been outgrown and is really out of step with reality. Last year, there were 36 million passengers through Dublin Airport when, as everyone

rest of the summer - and when the world is literally burning, it is the Minister is coming in today to lift the passenger cap on flights at Dublin Airport. People are saying that we need this for growth. We need to do something about the climate emergency … really against balanced regional development. I am shocked that some of those who complain about Dublin getting everything are okay with lifting the passenger cap on Dublin Airport. Currently, Dublin gets ten times more passengers than Cork. Dublin is the capital city but it does not have

under previous leadership, has actively polluted its relationship with Fingal County Council. The planning application DAA put in in 2023 to raise the passenger cap was one of the largest planning applications ever submitted to Fingal County Council. The application was declared invalid by Fingal County Council, which … Bill: "You are anti-growth." We are not anti-growth. We are pro-climate, yes, but we are also pro-good planning. This passenger cap was brought in as a condition of the north runway through the planning system and it should have been dealt with and tackled

through to ensure continuity of its ever-increasing gas demands. We will keep hearing an economic argument from the Government on removing the passenger cap, and I will come back to that, but we need to be honest about what this Bill will do. Scrapping the passenger cap … prevent harm from greenhouse gas emissions, including, expressly, emissions from fossil fuel consumption, which includes aviation fuel. A legal analysis of the passenger cap removal commissioned by Opportunity Green and prepared by barrister Tim Johnston of Brick Court Chambers sets out plainly that Ireland, already behind

hours, that is neither listening nor a genuine effort to help. My amendment is intended to allow a future Minister to amend the passenger cap for pro-climate reasons. The Bill currently allows the Minister to intervene where the passenger cap is judged to cause serious economic … consider climate or environmental considerations in the same way as economic interests. The question of how we deal with the 32 million passenger cap, which was put in as a planning condition initially, is of course central to what we are looking at here. Everybody recognises that flying

island with a dispersed population, connectivity is crucial to our continued economic development. To continue this development it is necessary to lift the passenger cap in Dublin Airport while also focusing on delivering balanced regional aviation growth. That is something I suggest this Government and its predecessor have … failed to do. Last year, Dublin Airport exceeded the passenger cap by more than 4 million passengers. The 32 million passenger cap must now be removed. If not, and due to legal challenges, there is a danger that the Irish Aviation Authority could be forced into enforcing this

This legislation on the passenger cap must strike the right balance between ensuring our island's connectivity while also acknowledging the experiences and voices of local residents who live close to the airport. The €32 million annual passenger cap has been in place for many years now. However … give to the Minister. We will be submitting a number of amendments across the many sections of this Bill. While lifting the passenger cap for Dublin Airport is critical to our island's connectivity, the Government must place just as much energy into developing our regional airports. Airports

Minister. The group has raised the issue of regional airports and how it might be able to access funding. There is a passenger cap to access that funding at the moment but we are considering that. Shannon Airport can stand on its own two feet. It is doing … Shannon and Cork airports are. The passenger growth at Cork Airport has been significant. I might come back to the Deputy on the passenger cap during my supplementary response. We have committed to working with stakeholders to remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. That commitment was included

investment. There is no point in pretending otherwise. If connectivity suffers, the national economy suffers and we are where we are. The current passenger cap of 32 million put in place under very different circumstances is now widely seen as a constraint. Businesses are saying it. The tourism … proposes to give the Minister sweeping powers to override existing planning conditions, effectively allowing a single political officeholder to amend or remove the passenger cap even while the processes are ongoing elsewhere. That is a very serious step. It represents a significant shift away from our established planning

want to lift the passenger cap. I do not believe it is a matter for broad deference to the courts to decide on that matter. We are very clear in our objective within Government to lift the passenger cap and to grow passenger numbers at Dublin Airport

more cardiovascular issues in affected areas and those statistics are backed up internationally. We do not know what impact the lifting of the cap will have specifically on night flights but it will mean many more flights and much more noise for those impacted … democratic. As I said, airport noise in the Fingal area leads to a huge number of health issues and the lifting of the passenger cap will make that situation worse. The Minister is from one of the impacted areas. The lifting of a passenger cap in any airport

During last November's general election campaign, all leaders - those now in government and in opposition - pledged they would lift the Dublin Airport passenger cap if they were in power. It was inevitable that at some point in the lifetime of this Government that legislation to do just … that would be introduced. I fully appreciate the difficulty the passenger cap has put on Dublin Airport and it is important that there is a need to deal with the here-and-now problem that the airport faces along with planning for the future. As an island nation

many people as possible. The programme for Government includes a commitment to work with stakeholders with the objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. This means working with local communities, not just in Dublin but in my county of Meath and the surrounding areas as well … commitment the Minister for Transport made is to progress legislation that would empower him to make an order to amend or revoke the passenger cap. In advance of making such an order, he has to engage with An Coimisiún Pleanála, which will screen for, and if necessary, undertake

those airports dropped significantly. The ask of these airports, particularly Shannon Airport in my constituency, is that the Government raise the 1 million passenger cap. This is possible under state aid rules and increasing it would allow Shannon and Cork airports to have a regular and steady income … Knock airports have to grapple and fight it out for the remaining 9%. If the Government is going to raise the airport passenger cap for Dublin, a little bit more could be done for the regional airports. I would love to see the regional airports fund cap raised

supposed to reduce our 2018 emissions level by 50%, the Minister has already announced that we are far off track. Raising the passenger cap by just 8 million is likely to increase flight emissions by about 24%. Yet, the Minister has indicated in remarks he has made over … billion and €26 billion. The removal of the obligation to adhere to section 15 of the climate action Act in relation to the passenger cap does not remove the Government's wider obligations under national law, international law or, indeed, under the European Convention on Human Rights

Dublin and the Dublin-centric nature of the Government is crippling Dublin. It is incredible to think of this conversation on the passenger cap and all of the difficulties that are arising as a result, while regional airports are crying out for funding and have the capacity … people using Dublin Airport land at the airport and then travel west. The Minister's answer to that is to increase the passenger cap. Would it not make more sense for spatial development and to people's lives if we were to alleviate the difficulties in regional airports

Their disapplication removes that layer of scrutiny entirely and channels decision-making exclusively to the Minister. We saw a similar arrangement in the passenger cap Bill earlier this week. It is true An Coimisiún Pleanála has to carry out an environmental impact assessment and an appropriate assessment which … bespoke planning route unavailable to other projects and certainly not ones that would benefit us from a climate and decarbonisation perspective. Like the passenger cap Bill, this is a significant departure from normal planning practice. It is a departure several stakeholders raised concerns about during pre-legislative scrutiny

people behind in Donabate. I am sure the Minister will be concerned about that. I welcome the steps being taken to remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. We are an island nation. We depend on connectivity. A cap on our capital city's airport, as the Minister … concern in relation to how the Bill is drafted. As it stands, it allows the DAA to apply to amend or revoke the passenger cap but it does not require that application to include concrete proposals on traffic mitigation, noise reduction, insulation, buyouts or any meaningful engagement with

impacting negatively the daily lives of residents in north County Dublin and east County Meath, including aircraft noise, night-time flights and the passenger cap. Members of the Government who were in opposition when this Bill was introduced supported it at the time. It would transfer the functions … previous Minister for Transport with a view that insulting and bullying would cow him into certain actions, with a focus then on the passenger cap and disregarding any and all resident concerns, without due understanding, - deliberately, I believe - to what has taken place in Fingal regarding public consultation

addressed. Brexit demonstrated how important trade into and out of this island is. Dublin Airport has long been operating over capacity. The passenger cap is not fit for purpose and was never adhered to. In 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025, the DAA knowingly ignored and exceeded the cap … Last year alone, the cap was exceeded by over four million passengers. As this Bill is very light on detail, Sinn Féin will be tabling amendments to address this. We will propose amendments to mandate the Government to update our national aviation policy, ensure balanced regional development

glad to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The imposition of a passenger cap was ludicrous and never worked. It is quite unique in world aviation. The removal of it was always inevitable. On the eve of the last general election, I remember the main party … foundation or without laying a new concrete block, Shannon Airport has current capacity, without any changing of configurations, to double its passenger intake. Yet, this cap will allow Dublin to grow. It could put further pressure on the airports along the western seaboard. That would be a concern

February 2026, the exact date on which he intends to bring the heads of the Bill addressing the Dublin Airport passenger cap to Government for approval; the Cabinet meeting at which approval of the general scheme is expected to be sought; the month and year in which publication … enacted, based on the current drafting and legislative timetable; and if the proposed legislation will expressly override or disapply the existing passenger cap planning condition and set out the statutory position regarding the consideration of that condition by the Irish Aviation Authority in future slot allocation decisions. [10683/26

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if, in his deliberations with officials in his Department concerning the lifting of the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, concerns around gaps in airspace oversight, reporting and governance were discussed, particularly in the context of non-cooperative or unidentified aerial … will commit to ensuring that reporting procedures, oversight mechanisms and accountability structures are in place before a potential lifting of the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1890/26

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport In light of the decision to abolish the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; if a company (details supplied) has formally advised his Department that current air traffic control staffing levels are sufficient to safely accommodate increased passenger and flight volumes

Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport given the European Court of Justice ruling on the passenger cap at Dublin airport, when will the independent review of runway use take place taking into consideration professional opinion of the North Runway Technical Group. [75300/26

confirm if a specific aviation safety and security audit was undertaken as part of the preparation or passage of the Dublin Airport passenger-cap legislation; and if so, whether that assessment will be published. [67040/26

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether, in light of the proposed changes to the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, Fáilte Ireland will increase its promotion of Shannon Airport as a direct gateway for visitors travelling from New York and other north American

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to examine his views on passenger caps (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34235/26

threats of retaliatory measures by the United States Administration or US aviation regulators have been raised with his Department in relation to the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; the form in which such concerns have been communicated; and the actions being taken by Government to mitigate any risk

Transportation, Airlines for America, or the US Ambassador to Ireland regarding the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026 or the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport; and if so, to provide details of those communications. [20019/26

that Ireland does not have sufficient air traffic control resources to manage an increase in flights safely his views on whether lifting the passenger CAP would cause chaos; the steps he has taken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17068/26

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on his plans to remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15200/26

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered the experience of local residents in relation to lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15472/26

Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport whether he has considered the impact of the removal of the passenger cap on air traffic control operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15305/26

Hara asked the Minister for Transport in view of proposals to increase passenger numbers at Dublin Airport through the removal of the passenger cap, if his Department has undertaken any assessments of whether existing safety-of-flight reporting procedures for anomalous aerial observations are sufficiently explicit, standardised

Airport Authority did not submit a response to the formal complaint lodged (details supplied) with the United States Department of Transportation concerning the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; whether the Minister was aware in advance that no response would be submitted; and whether he accepts that the absence

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether he accepts that the failure to remove the Dublin Airport passenger cap within a reasonable timeframe now presents a credible risk of retaliatory restrictions on transatlantic air services under the EU–US Open Skies Agreement; whether this risk

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the heads of Bill intended to address the Dublin Airport passenger cap; the date on which the Heads of Bill will be brought to Government for approval; the expected timeline for publication of the Bill

export capacity, and employment arising from any curtailment or suspension of flights between Ireland and the United States linked to the Dublin Airport passenger cap; and if so, to provide the estimated economic exposure identified. [7652/26

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the anticipated impact on aviation-related carbon emissions of his decision to remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; whether his Department carried out an environmental impact assessment in advance of this decision; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport the reason opportunities to expand the Dublin Airport passenger cap, as presented by the North Runway Technical Group June 2025, are being ignored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3291/26

Transport if consideration will be given to implementing standardised reporting procedures for anomalous or non-cooperative aerial observations by flight crews before the passenger cap in Dublin Airport is lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1356/26

Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport the plans to ensure appropriate safety standards are in place before the lifting of the passenger cap in Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1357/26

diligence his Department has completed in assessing the greenhouse gas emissions impacts resulting from State intervention to lift the Dublin airport passenger cap, in the context of both climate obligations and related human rights obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53579/25

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his plans to lift the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is to facilitate the development of a new terminal three at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53585/25

Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for bringing forward draft legislation to give effect to lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50972/25