Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
235. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport the reason opportunities to expand the Dublin Airport passenger cap, as presented by the North Runway Technical Group June 2025, are being ignored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3291/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am sure we all agree, even though it is so often stated, that as an island nation, aviation plays a crucial role in our economy and society. That is why maximising connectivity to and from Ireland is one of my main priorities as Minister for Transport and one of the key commitments in the Programme for Government.
Having met with local-residents and representatives on the issue of aircraft noise, I am also very aware of their concerns regarding its impact on those who live and work in the surrounds of Dublin Airport.
I understand that the Deputy’s question is specifically in relation to proposals made by the North Runway Technical Group - a residents group in relation to changes to flight paths at Dublin Airport.
Under EU legislation, the operator of an airport, daa in the case of Dublin Airport, is responsible for the design and maintenance of Instrument Flight Procedures which set flight paths into and out of an airport.
The Irish Aviation Authority, the civil aviation safety regulator, is the only State body that can approve proposed Instrument Flight Procedures submitted by operators of airports. It is not open to me as the Minister, to intervene in this process.
As I previously advised the Deputy in November, given the ongoing regulatory and planning processes in track regarding Dublin Airport, I understand it is not daa’s intention to embark on a flightpath review at this time.
As I have long held, it is important that daa continue to act as a good neighbour to those impacted by operations at the airport. It is my understanding that there is strong engagement between daa and local communities, including the North Runway Technical Group, regarding operations at Dublin Airport, and other related matters such as the residential sound insulation grant scheme and noise insulation grant scheme.
