Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of the passenger cap in Dublin Airport. As Members are aware, the Government has outlined its commitment in the programme for Government to lifting the cap as soon as possible. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has described the situation as urgent. That is welcome. It is essential it be done as quickly as possible.

There has been a slow start to the year in terms of tourism. We all recognise how important that sector is to our economy and to the thousands of SMEs right across the country. Dublin Airport Authority, which is also responsible for Cork Airport, has said that, like other European airports, Cork Airport saw strong growth to begin the year, with passenger numbers increasing by 6% in February, while passenger numbers in Dublin Airport fell by 0.5%. Cork is not unusual in terms of growth, given that the vast majority of European airports have seen passenger numbers rise to begin the year, making it clear the passenger cap is significantly impacting on Dublin Airport's capacity to grow. This is more crucial now than ever given the tariffs decision by the US Administration and the uncertainty that has created in terms of economic impact. We need to examine following the UK model, where central government is taking control of planning decisions on critical transport infrastructure to deliver faster decisions. We simply cannot afford this process to be dragged out and for it to continue to limit the growth of Dublin Airport and our tourism sector nationwide. That sector has more than 250,000 people working in it and in thousands of SMEs and, obviously, it is a critical part of the Irish economy. It is vital that the Government act quickly to ensure the sector continues to grow from strength to strength. This is a significant issue for the Irish economy. Will the Leader request that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, update us on the matter and on options the Government is considering?