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

Last month, Darragh O’Brien secured Cabinet approval for new legislation to amend or revoke the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport, bypassing the current planning process in place for the measure. File photo

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.

Assistant secretary at the Department of Transport, Ethna Brogan, said it was a “complex and challenging piece of legislation”, and it was a “significant step for Government to take”.

“In drafting it, we’ve tried to keep it as narrowly focused as possible to this single planning condition, the 32 million passenger cap,” Ms Brogan said.

“Government recognises that the continued existence of the cap while there is a live planning application in place is harming connectivity, potentially causing reputational damage to the country and could potentially impact employment, etc.”

Last month, Darragh O’Brien secured Cabinet approval for new legislation to amend or revoke the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport, bypassing the current planning process in place for the measure.

Mr O’Brien said the step was being taken as the Government “recognises the strategic importance” of Dublin Airport and the role it plays in supporting economic growth, connectivity and jobs.

While it was welcomed by airport operator DAA, environmental groups and local residents hit out at the measures.

The Government published the general scheme of the bill in February, ahead of the drafting of the full legislation, with indications it wants to pass the legislation as a priority.

“The minister is committed to balancing the clear benefits of the aviation sector with sustainability actions, and has ensured that the legislation integrates environmental assessment and mitigation into decision-making in advance of making an order,” Ms Brogan said.

Regional airports

Clare Fianna Fáil TD, Cathal Crowe, hit out at the Government for not including provisions for balanced regional development in the legislation.

“Shannon Airport is only fulfilling half of the capacity it is able to provide,” he said, adding there is an onus on the minister and department to ensure balanced development in the likes of Shannon, Cork and Knock.

He said there are 13 flights a day departing Dublin for Amsterdam Schiphol but none from Shannon, and that the Irish Aviation Authority should have the remit to be able to recommend slots applied for to go elsewhere to support regional airports.

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“Shannon is not adding the economic value we should have in the region,” Mr Crowe said.

Committee chair Michael Murphy, Fine Gael TD for Tipperary South, said there had been over 130 submissions made already on the Government’s proposals which it would consider in the coming weeks.

“We will engage with resident groups, airlines, business organisations, tourism organisations, NGOs,” he said, adding they will be mindful of the long-term impacts of any decision.