Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
327. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport the key measures taken to support and develop aviation services during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73575/25]
View answerThe Government recognises the crucial role of international air connectivity and is committed to fostering an environment that supports the aviation sector's development. The Programme for Government (PfG) acknowledges that as an island nation with a dispersed population and an open economy, good connectivity within the country and with the rest of the world is essential to foster continued economic growth, for communities, and our tourism industry.
The 2015 National Aviation Policy (NAP) established a policy framework for the development of the aviation sector in Ireland. While the principal goals of the 2015 NAP remain valid, and it continues to guide decision-making, the Department of Transport has commenced preparatory work on revising the NAP, with a view to progressing same 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 (PfG).
The NAP recognises the role of regional airports in supporting connectivity and regional development and commits to encouraging airports to attract new business, to achieve excellence in the delivery of service and value for passengers and airlines, and to make a sustainable contribution to their respective local economies and communities. Government recognises that as employers, airports contribute to the local economy, employment is also supported through the various ancillary services that are provided to airports.
In line with this, Government has provided significant supports to regional airports under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, with €17million in combined current and capital supports made available in 2025. Funding under this Programme is targeted at safety and security related activities and operations. Projects with a sustainability focus are also supported, encouraging airports meet their carbon emission reduction targets and build resilience against the likely impacts of climate change. A Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between Donegal and Dublin airports is also supported under this Programme.
While the current Regional Airports Programme will expire at the end of 2025, the PfG commits to continue to invest in the Regional Airports Programme and to develop a new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030. This work is progressing as a matter of priority, with a view to the new Programme being in place early in the new year. A further €17million in combined current and capital supports will support continued investment in regional airports under this new Programme in 2026.
In addition, the PfG includes a commitment to engage with relevant stakeholders to establish air connectivity between Dublin and City of Derry airports. As part of the objectives of Building a Shared Island, my Department is progressing the preparatory work necessary to establish a Dublin-Derry PSO air service in 2026. Stakeholder engagement is also vital and in this regard a market sounding exercise is being finalised by my Department for publication shortly. I look forward to the delivery of this new service, which will provide subsidised transport connectivity for Derry and North East Donegal and complement the Donegal-Dublin PSO air service which serves the West Donegal region.
The Government is in favour of increasing the capacity of Dublin Airport, in line with the NAP, which recognises the strategic importance of Dublin Airport to meeting national social and economic policy goals. The PfG includes a clear commitment to working with stakeholders to achieve the objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport as soon as possible. In this regard, I secured support from my colleagues in Cabinet to pursue a legislative course of action to address the passenger cap in line with that commitment. Work has commenced on the preparation of legislation to address this, and I intend to bring Heads of a Bill to Cabinet shortly to seek agreement on the proposed legislative approach and to progress to formal drafting.
I am committed to introducing the legislation as soon as possible to ensure that it can be prioritised both in terms of drafting and then in terms of its passage through the Oireachtas, to ensure continued sustainable growth in connectivity for the benefit of our economy.
Continuing with the theme of sustainability, 2025 saw the publication of Ireland’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Policy Roadmap, fulfilling a clear commitment in the PfG. The Roadmap represents an important first step in developing Ireland’s national SAF policy, identifying a number of actions which will be built upon in future iterations, and setting a path for future SAF policy development.
A significant milestone was the publication in August 2025 of our National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or UAS, commonly referred to as drones. The Policy Framework focusses on focus on i) the use of the airspace and planning, ii) compliance and enforcement, and iii) enterprise and innovation.
While the operation of any scheduled air service is a commercial decision for airlines, it is the responsibility of my Department to ensure that the appropriate frameworks are in place to facilitate such operations. Work has advanced in 2025 at official level with a number of third country partners towards the development of new bilateral air service agreements which will provide the framework to underpin the operation of air services to/from these third countries. In 2026, I expect a number of these international agreements to be brought to Government for consideration, while in other cases, negotiations will continue at a technical level.
In terms of EU policy, a revision of EU Regulation 261 of 2004 on the rights of air passengers in the event of denied boarding, cancellation and long delay of flights was progressed significantly in 2025. A "general approach" text of a revised regulation was agreed by EU Transport Ministers at a Transport Council meeting in June 2025. The text is now undergoing trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament, with the aim of reaching a final compromise. Ireland is supportive of the Council-approved text, which strengthens passengers’ rights while also keeping the industry competitive and innovative.
Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2026 and my Department is engaged in the whole-of-government effort to deliver a successful Irish Presidency.
