Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I believe a cap of between 2.5 million and 3 million passengers per annum would be within state aid rules. It would also allow those airports to grow and compete more effectively for market share. It is in the gift of the Government to do that. The new programme begins in 2026. I would love to see those airports grow. I do not see why we should allow Dublin to grow to the detriment of other airports. That the national airport should have such dominance - 91% - over other airports is extraordinary among EU member states.

While we call it a regional airports programme, we take pride in Shannon Airport not being a regional airport. It is an international airport of the highest calibre.

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