Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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202. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for bringing forward draft legislation to give effect to lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50972/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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.

I intend to bring a Memorandum to Government shortly on the policy decision to pursue a legislative course of action and to seek approval for the development of a general scheme and associated heads of Bill.

The challenge facing Dublin Airport is not solely in relation to lifting the cap on passengers. In order to facilitate growth at the airport, planning permission is required to develop infrastructure capacity. In this regard, daa must continue to work to progress its planning application which seeks to lift the passenger cap to 40m passengers per annum and permission to build infrastructure including new piers and stands to facilitate this growth.

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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203. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the development of the new National Aviation Policy/Strategy; the means by which it will address connectivity, sustainability, and regional balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50974/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The 2015 National Aviation Policy (‘NAP’) established a policy framework for the development of the aviation sector in Ireland. It was designed to create an environment that encouraged the sector to enhance Ireland's connectivity, to foster the growth of aviation enterprise and maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland's sustainable economic growth and development.

While the principal goals of the 2015 NAP remain valid, and it continues to guide decision-making, my Department has commenced preparatory work on revising the NAP, with a view to publication in 2026.

The revised NAP will update existing policy in response to developments in the aviation sector since 2015 and will include a focus on maximising use of our regional airports, in line with commitments made in the Programme for Government.

As was the case in the development the 2015 NAP it is intended to undertake extensive stakeholder consultation as part of the process of revising the NAP.

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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204. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on Government support for the development of Waterford Regional Airport, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to ensure the airport's future viability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50975/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commits to working with all stakeholders to quickly progress Waterford Airport’s project to lengthen and widen the runway, building on the previous Government decision of 2019.

In line with this commitment, and the requirements under the Infrastructure Guidelines, Waterford Airport has been invited to submit a Preliminary Business Case for this development proposal. This was discussed in detail when I met with Government colleagues, Minister Butler and Minister Cummins and the CEO of Waterford City and County Council on 2 July last.

I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department will work with the airport in its development of the business case and any such case will be assessed as a matter of priority when received by my Department.