LAST UPDATE | 16 Jun

TRANSPORT MINISTER DARRAGH O’Brien will seek government sign-off on the passenger cap this morning, with the law set to be enacted before the Dáil’s summer recess.

Once approved by his cabinet colleagues today, O’Brien will publish the text of the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026 which will then pass through the Oireachtas.

It is expected to become law before TDs and Senators break for the summer in mid-July.

The proposed legislation will empower O’Brien to make an order to revoke or amend the 32 million passenger cap that is currently in place for Dublin Airport, and to prevent future caps. 

It comes after the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport published pre-legislative scrutiny of the bill, warning of gaps in the proposed law and the possibility of legal challenges.

In justifying his decision to remove the cap, O’Brien said he and the government recognise the central role it will play in “underpinning economic growth, strengthening Ireland’s international connectivity, and sustaining thousands of jobs across the country”.

DAA, the airport authority, said that change “rightly recognises Dublin Airport’s role in supporting economic growth, connectivity and jobs across the State”.

Business group Ibec said their prosperity “is dependent upon the access to global markets it provides”.

A spokesperson for the minister said he wants to ensure that the continued growth of Dublin Airport is delivered in a “sustainable and balanced way, with due regard to its responsibilities as a good neighbour”.

“This includes ongoing engagement with local communities and ensuring that the views, needs and concerns of residents are listened to as the airport continues to develop,” the spokesperson said.

On the concern over legal challenges to the legislation, it is understood O’Brien has been heavily involved in the detail of the bill to ensure it is capable of withstanding any challenges.

Over recent years, environmental concerns have been raised over the greenhouse gas emissions from increased flights, which trap heat inside the atmosphere and cause global average temperatures to rise.

Thousands of scientists around the world have repeatedly warned policymakers that without immediate and substantial action to lower greenhouse gas emissions, the world faces devastating and irreversible consequences.