Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 8 September 2025
422. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the supports provided to address technological challenges faced by the aircraft leasing industry, particularly in relation to cargo and the adoption of new technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47126/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise that Deputy that I met with Aircraft Leasing Ireland (ALI), the representative body of the leasing industry in Ireland, earlier this year, however they did not raise the issue of technological challenges during that meeting.
My Department regularly engages with the aircraft leasing industry regarding the deacarbonisation of the aviation sector, in particular regarding the deployment of sustainable aviation fuel.
To assist in the development of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy Roadmap, the Department of Transport established the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Task Force in December of 2023, bringing together key stakeholders with responsibility for, and interest in, policy development and implementation in relation to SAF.
I am pleased to confirm that my Department published Ireland’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy Roadmap on the 21st of August 2025, fulfilling a clear commitment in the Programme for Government. With the assistance of the Task Force, which includes representatives from the aircraft leasing industry, and an extensive series of wider bilateral meetings, 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.
Separately, I am aware that ALI appropriately address any taxation concerns that the industry may have to my colleague the Minister for Finance.
