Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I note Mr. Jacobs did not include in the presentation the price of a pint at the airport, another issue on which some people will have strong opinions.

A few days ago, I was asked about the growth of Dublin Airport. Mr. Jacobs referred to striking the right balance between sustainability and connectivity. The airport will grow naturally based on population increases, but we have a strong climate responsibility and aviation is part of that. I am on record as saying I do not want there to be an exponential growth in aviation or the airport just for the sake of beating monthly or yearly records. Does the DAA have work to do to communicate what real, sustainable growth is versus just trying avariciously to grow to get massive market share, increased profits and increased dividends back to the State? The DAA, unlike many other State assets or private enterprise in this country, has a responsibility to balance being an economic driver against being a minder of our climate and being a leader in that regard. I have been receiving brochures in the post for years, and there is always a reference to how successful the airport has been judging by the number of passengers. Surely that cannot be the growth strategy in and of itself.