Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

555. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the assumptions in relation to global action to reduce greenhouse gases he has relayed to the Dublin Airport Authority in predicting future passenger demands and in deciding on increasing runway capacity. [15351/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Planning permission for the North Runway project has been in place since 2007. Given the increase in passenger numbers over the last two years and projected passenger growth, I welcome the fact that daa has decided to commence the project.

daa has a statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport including the provision of infrastructure necessary to meet existing and future demand, such as the North Runway project. Therefore, the assumptions to be made in predicting future passenger demand is a matter for daa, having regard to all relevant national and international factors, including those related to the reduction of greenhouse gases.

I have been informed by the DAA that they are committed to the successful management of impacts on the environment, and that they will work effectively with key stakeholders such as the IAA and airlines in this regard. It should be noted that no assumptions are made in relation to aviation emissions under the Paris Agreement (COP21). The challenge of mitigating aviation emissions is dealt with through the international body ICAO, which plans to bring forward measures later this year designed to ensure carbon neutral growth in international aviation emissions from 2020.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

556. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the analysis he has carried out of the cap of existing airport infrastructure other than in Dublin Airport to meet passenger demand; the economic and cost-benefit analysis of these options. [15352/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is no cap in place in relation to the development of airport infrastructure.

The National Aviation Policy (NAP) acknowledges the importance of ensuring sufficient capacity at Irish airports, and Dublin Airport in particular, to enable connectivity and the operation of services to existing and emerging markets, to support our tourism industry, trade relationships and connections with the rest of the world.  While initiatives are underway to ensure adequate capacity for existing and future demand at Dublin Airport, no capacity issues exist at Shannon or Cork airports at present.

The NAP also commits to regular reviews to ensure that all of the main airports are well placed to accommodate passenger growth and changing passenger, air-cargo and carrier needs. The NAP envisaged my Department commissioning a high-level strategic capacity review of Irish airports with the Shannon, Cork and Dublin airports being mandated to carry out their own capacity reviews at five yearly intervals. While it had been planned that the reviews would commence in 2018, my Department may review this timeline, given the higher than expected passenger growth trends.