Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he acknowledges and accepts that Ireland’s airport capacity problem is fundamentally a policy issue rather than a capacity issue; the steps being taken to develop a cohesive national airports policy that leverages the existing capacities at Shannon and Cork airports to relieve pressure on Dublin Airport and ensure balanced regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39882/24]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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78. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the immediate implementation of measures to optimise air traffic management and introduce new coordination parameters prioritising new long-haul destinations from Dublin Airport; if he will outline plans to lift the threshold on the regional airports programme to include Shannon and Cork airports, thereby enhancing national connectivity and supporting sustainable aviation development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39883/24]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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79. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the strategic importance of diversifying airport usage to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on Dublin Airport; if he will provide details on how decentralising flights to regional airports, such as Shannon, can reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to Ireland’s environmental goals, particularly in light of the potential 4.6kg decrease in road-based CO2 emissions per visitor when flying from Shannon instead of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39884/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 78 and 79 together.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is a planning related issue, rather than a policy-based issue. Increasing capacity of Dublin Airport is in line with the National Aviation Policy, which recognises the strategic importance of Dublin Airport to meeting national social and economic policy goals and includes the objective to develop Dublin Airport as a secondary hub airport. It is a long-standing policy to develop Dublin Airport as a secondary hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets.

I am currently undertaking a series of engagements with key stakeholders (airlines, airports, regulators, business groups) to discuss ways in which the impact of the constraint of the passenger cap at Dublin Airport may be limited while planning permission is awaited.

In relation to the suggestion of the introduction of new coordination parameters, I can advise the Deputy that it is the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) who is responsible for declaring the parameters for slot coordination under the EU Airport Slot Regulation. The IAA’s role includes identifying and determining the capacity at Dublin Airport and setting the parameters for slot allocation. The EU Regulation aims to ensure that, where airport capacity is scarce, the maximum available capacity is identified and distributed in a fair and transparent manner. This is done through the allocation of take-off and landing slots by an independent coordinator, according to rules set out in the EU Slot Regulation, and based on the capacity identified for the airport concerned.

In order to be consistent with the principles of transparency and non-discrimination under the EU Regulation, the IAA outlines that the capacity parameters should be imposed on a pro-rata basis, across all carriers. As this is an independent statutory process, it is not possible for the Minister to intervene in the process or to seek to prioritise certain long haul routes.

Government recognises that significant economic and social benefits are derived from facilitating access to and from our regions. Our national aviation policy seeks to optimise the operation of the Irish Airport network to ensure maximum connectivity to the rest of the world. Growth of air services at our regional airports is also in line with government policy on balanced regional development. That said, the operation of air services is a commercial matter between airlines, airports and other commercial partners and it is not possible for Government to direct traffic away from Dublin to our regional airports.

There is no impediment to any airline or charter service introducing new routes or ad hoc services at other Irish airports such as Shannon Airport , which has US Preclearance facilities and Cork Airport.. There are no capacity constraints at these regional State airports or indeed at our smaller regional airports, Ireland West (Knock), Kerry and Donegal, which can be utilised to maintain and enhance connectivity to our regions.

Government provides substantial annual funding under a Regional Airports Programme which supports Ireland’s smallest regional airports, those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than one million passengers per annum. Ireland West, Kerry and Donegal airports are all currently eligible for funding under this Programme. I was delighted to announce as part of Budget 2025 the continuation of these supports with €17million being made available under the Programme next year to continue to support safety, security and sustainability activities and operations. This Programme also supports the PSO Air service between Dublin and Donegal.

In relation to broadening the eligibility criteria for funding to support airports with greater than one million passengers, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I published a new Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme recently. This new programme, with a capital budget of €4.225m, will support Cork and Shannon airports' sustainability plans.

I am also pleased to advise the Deputy that detailed analysis in relation to the broadening of the scope of the Regional Airports Programme’s eligibility to allow for the inclusion of airports with greater than one million passengers (i.e. Cork and Shannon) is also being undertaken and will inform the next Regional Airports Programme.

Ireland has established good connectivity via our regional airports with the UK, Europe and America. The targeted Exchequer funding provided by my Department to this sector has supported this connectivity, with overall passenger traffic across our regional airports in 2023 9% above 2019 levels (the last comparable period prior to COVID-19). I am pleased to witness this strong growth continuing this year, with passenger traffic to end August 7% higher when compared to the same period last year. This connectivity is expected to be further enhanced this Winter, with Ryanair having recently announced new routes and increased frequencies from Cork and Shannon airports.

With a view to supporting future growth, my Department will be undertaking a consultation process with key stakeholders to consider the potential for the development of an Exchequer funded Start-up Aid Scheme for airlines to support strategic route development to and from the regions.

I trust that these actions and initiatives, which have been designed to support National Aviation Policy to create an environment that would encourage the sector to enhance Ireland's connectivity and to maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland's sustainable economic growth and development, will be welcomed by the Deputy.