Minister to seek Cabinet approval to remove passenger cap

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien is expected to seek Cabinet approval tomorrow to legislate for the removal of Dublin Airport’s 32 million a year passenger cap.

It is understood that his memorandum to Government is critical of the DAA, which is charged with operating and developing the airport.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment that the coalition will work with stakeholders to achieve the objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport as soon as possible.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has been highly critical that the cap remains in place.

Tomorrow, Minister O’Brien will bring a memo to Cabinet which seeks permission to legislate on the issue, while also recognising that the strategy is not without risk and a legal challenge is very likely.

It is understood that Minister O’Brien’s 12-page memo is highly critical of the DAA for not moving speedily on the cap.

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It suggests that this has created uncertainty, which is highly unsatisfactory and damaging to both the authority’s reputation and Ireland’s.

While the DAA has submitted a detailed Infrastructure Application on the cap, Minister O’Brien thinks that there is a real risk of delay, and legislation is required.

Some resident groups and climate campaigners have threatened to fight the proposal in the courts.