Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has confirmed he is referring the removal of Dublin Airport’s 32-million passenger cap to An Coimisiún Pleanála for formal environmental assessments. On 13 November 2026, the Minister received an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and a Natura Impact Statement from daa (Dublin Airport Authority), marking the next statutory step under the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Act 2026.
Minister O’Brien is formally submitting daa’s Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement to An Coimisiún Pleanála following his receipt of the documents. The assessment process will include a full public consultation, allowing local residents, environmental groups, and other interested parties to make submissions.
The Minister has requested that the Commission complete the assessments within the strict 20-week timelines set out in the Act. Once An Coimisiún Pleanála concludes its review, the Minister will consider the findings before making a final Order to amend or revoke the 32-million passenger limit. Parallel Planning and Climate Context
Alongside the Ministerial process, Fingal County Council is assessing daa’s separate “Infrastructure Application” to raise the cap to 40 million passengers and build new piers, stands, and an Integrated Transport Hub.
Although the original cap was introduced over traffic on the M50 other activist groups have become embroiled in the debate. The Aircraft Noise Competent Authority is concurrently conducting a dedicated noise evaluation as part of that broader planning application. Friends of the Irish Environment and Opportunity Green have attempted to introduce a climate dimension, raising national emissions targets and exemptions from Section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.
The referral follows a November 2026 EU court ruling indicating that flight slots at Dublin Airport must be cut to comply with the existing 2007 planning condition unless the cap is legally lifted
