Minister’s hope of 60 million Dublin Airport passengers per year a 'political opinion', committee told

One TD told the Oireachtas committee that there is an onus to ensure the balanced development of Ireland's regional airports of Shannon, Cork and Knock

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026 - 14:55

Sean Murray

The Department of Transport has no target for how many passengers it wants to pass through Dublin Airport every year by lifting the cap and the minister’s hope for 60 million is a “political opinion” rather than a department policy, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

Departmental officials fielded questions on Wednesday on minister for transport Darragh O’Brien’s proposals to lift the passenger cap, with Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman among those critical of the plans saying it “undermines our response to climate change” and is a “sweeping carve-out” of the Climate Act.