Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
141. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the anticipated impact on aviation-related carbon emissions of his decision to remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; whether his Department carried out an environmental impact assessment in advance of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to work with stakeholders to achieve the objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin airport as soon as possible. On the 30th of September, I secured Cabinet approval to progress primary legislation to make this happen.
Work is progressing at pace on the preparation of legislation to address the passenger cap planning condition, and my intention is to bring Heads of a Bill to Government shortly to seek agreement on the proposed legislative approach and approval to progress to formal drafting. I am committed to introducing the legislation as soon as possible to ensure continued sustainable growth in connectivity and this will have regard to relevant EU environmental legislation as appropriate.
Ireland’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy Roadmap which was published in August 2025, which was also a Programme for Government commitment, estimates the demand for conventional jet fuel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) up to 2035, based on the EUROCONTROL base forecasts of Irish aviation activity. It recognises the important contribution that SAFs can make toward decarbonising the aviation industry and it aims to provide the building blocks for the deployment of SAF in Ireland.
At European level, Ireland continues to support the EU’s “Fit for 55 Package” which aims to facilitate a minimum net 55% EU greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2030. Furthermore, there are a number of EU regulations and directives in place that are aimed at reducing aviation emissions. This includes the EU emissions trading system, and the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation which places an obligation on aviation fuel suppliers to supply an increasing share of aviation fuel blended with SAF at European Union airports and requires airlines to increase their uptake of SAF in pre-defined incremental steps.
My officials and I regularly engage with the key stakeholders across the aviation sector in relation to efforts to reduce emissions and decarbonise the aviation industry, and my Department remains committed to the continued development of policy in this area both at EU and international level.
