THE DÁIL HAS passed legislation paving the way for the removal of Dublin Airport’s long-standing passenger cap, while also approving controversial plans for a strategic liquefied natural gas (LNG) reserve.

Both government bills were guillotined through the Dáil on Tuesday evening, limiting debate before TDs voted on the measures ahead of the summer recess.

The Dublin Airport legislation gives Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien the power to amend or revoke the airport’s 32 million annual passenger cap, as well as prevent similar caps being imposed in future.

The passenger limit, introduced as part of planning permission for the airport’s second terminal, has become a major political issue in recent years after Dublin Airport exceeded the threshold.

Airlines and business groups have repeatedly warned the cap has constrained connectivity, while the government has argued it is restricting Ireland’s economic growth and tourism sector.

Speaking during the debate, O’Brien said the legislation was about ensuring Ireland could meet future aviation demand while providing certainty for passengers and airlines.

He added that claims the government were “setting aside any environmental considerations” in relation to the airport are “absolutely not true”.

“We are taking actions that are aligned with the global approach to decarbonisation in the aviation sector,” O’Brien said.

However, opposition parties and environmental groups argued the bill weakens climate commitments and was being rushed through the Oireachtas without adequate scrutiny.

People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger said that O’Brien was moving the bill through the Dáil “with undue haste before the summer”.

“We should be reducing the number of flights in light of the climate crisis. Instead, the Government is marketing Dublin Airport as a hub on a European scale.,” Coppinger added.

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore accused O’Brien of neglecting international obligations on climate by removing the passenger cap.

“We need to take these issues into account, because the Minister is not just making this decision for the next five years and keeping Michael O’Leary happy,” Whitmore said.

The bill passed with 118 votes for, and 28 against.

The legislation will now move to the Seanad before returning to the Dáil for final approval.

LNG bill approved

TDs also voted to pass the Strategic Gas Reserve Bill, which provides for the development of a state-owned emergency liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility in the Shannon Estuary.

The government says the measure is needed to protect Ireland’s energy security. Around 80% of the country’s gas is imported through Britain.

During Tuesday’s debate, Taoiseach Micheál Martin rejected claims the legislation represented a retreat from Ireland’s climate ambitions.

“This is not a climate issue, it is an energy security issue,” Martin said.

He said officials had warned that if gas interconnectors with Britain were disrupted, “our economy is in trouble within 10 days”.

O’Brien said the legislation was “absolutely urgent”, adding that separate legislation would ensure the facility remained in public ownership and was used only in emergency circumstances.

The bill was opposed by Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, the Green Party and People Before Profit, with critics arguing it would deepen Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and undermine the State’s climate targets.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy told the Dáil that 30 June “should go down as the day of the bonfire of our climate targets”.

Murphy accused the government of “ramming through” the bill with “no proper oversight or debate”. 

Labour TD Ciarán Ahern took issue with the proposed amendments being “ignored” and specifically took issue with the text of the bill not explicitly stating that the facility is only to be used in emergency circumstances, as is being promised by the government.

“This is long-term fossil fuel infrastructure that is being built. And we want to believe you that this is only going to be used in emergency circumstances. That it isn’t going to be commercially driven, but there is nothing in this bill to give us any confidence in that,” Ahern said.

The legislation will also proceed to the Seanad before returning to the Dáil.