Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

33. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the 32 million passenger cap at Dublin Airport; the measures he has taken to ensure planning conditions at State owned airports are complied with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24747/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the deputy will be aware, compliance with planning conditions attached to planning permissions at our State airports is a matter for the entities granted those permissions and enforcement is a matter for the relevant planning authorities.

daa has the statutory responsibility for the operation, management and development of Dublin Airport, including matters related to planning. 

In December 2023 daa applied to Fingal County Council (FCC), the relevant planning authority, for planning permission to increase the capacity of the airport to 40m passengers through the construction of new aircraft piers, stands and other works - the so-called Infrastructure application.  daa also submitted an Operational Application in February 2025 which seeks to increase passenger numbers to 36 million. FCC is assessing both applications.

As the deputy will be aware the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019 provides a wholly independent aircraft noise regulation process in accordance with EU Regulation 598/2014. The Act provides that all future development at Dublin airport is subject to assessment and mitigation in respect of the impact of associated aircraft movements on the noise environment around Dublin Airport.

In that regard the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) has commenced an assessment of the Infrastructure Application and the Operational Application and determined that both applications should be supplemented with additional information which daa has been directed to provide.

The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to working with stakeholders to achieve the objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin airport as soon as possible and to ensure relevant agencies engage effectively with all communities impacted by noise, flight movements and airport operations.

I am examining a range of issues in relation to the 32m passenger cap planning condition at Dublin Airport more broadly and have commenced a process of engagement with key stakeholders in relation to the cap.  I will continue engaging with key stakeholders in the coming weeks.

There is no capacity restriction at Ireland’s other State airports, Cork and Shannon. Cork Airport’s passenger numbers increased by 10% in 2024, and Shannon’s by 7%.