Dublin airport is “an advantage we need to leverage,’ Minister Darragh O’Brien has said in a radio interview, while refusing to commit on the passenger cap.
Minister Darragh O’Brien shared: “We’re seeing greater advancements in aviation technology, which allow for more efficient fuel use. There are new, quieter planes on the way as well, and I understand the challenges faced by communities near the airport concerning aircraft noise. This needs to be balanced in any decision we make or proposals presented to me.
Connectivity is critically important for this country. We’ve discussed our economy and trading relations with the United States — being an island, we need to be well-connected. Currently, we have the fifth best connected airport in Europe. This is an advantage we need to leverage.
However, that doesn’t mean the airline sector can ignore its obligations to reduce emissions. They are working on it; efficient fuel use makes economic sense. There’s also progress on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and efforts are underway in this country.
If flights into Dublin were restricted, those planes would simply divert to Belfast, Gatwick, or Amsterdam. For our country, we need to reconcile our economic needs with our environmental responsibilities.
The Dublin Airport Authority must continue engaging in the planning process. This cap is a legacy issue stemming from a planning condition established in 2008, and I believe it should have been addressed earlier by the Dublin Airport Authority, which has acknowledged this.
Currently, we’re trying to balance the need for economic growth against a growing population, ensuring we remain well connected as an island nation. The cap would not support that”
