Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I think what the IAA is trying to do, and it can come here and tell us itself, my understanding is it is trying to assist or instruct the airport authority to avoid doing what it did in 2023. Everybody in this room will probably accept the cap was breached. The authority is under investigation for this but it breached the cap and has already said in writing it will breach the cap during 2024, or at least the Department has stated this. That is the position. It is what it is. It is a blunt instrument and is not appropriate anymore because the transport links certainly will be improved. I hope An Bord Pleanála will make a decision on the metro imminently. I am a realist as well. I recognise it is a decade away. The impact of this passenger cap on growth at Dublin Airport is critical but it is an immovable object until such time as it is gone.

I do not accept, I am afraid, Mr. O'Leary's points about there being a legislative fix because if we interfere in the planning process, it will immediately end up in the courts, it will be injuncted and it will be back to square one. It will be exactly like we are standing still at the moment, waiting for the planning authority and the noise regulator to make their decisions. I think Mr. O'Leary is long enough in the game to know that as well.