A senior government official has questioned the feasibility of rapidly increasing Dublin Airport’s 32 million passenger limit, contradicting public statements from ministers about swift action on the controversial cap.
Department of Transport Secretary General Ken Spratt described recent media reports about government interventions to lift the restriction as “inaccurate” and likely to create “unrealistic expectations,” according to internal communications obtained by the Irish Examiner.
In messages sent to colleagues on March 31, Spratt maintained that DAA’s existing planning applications with Fingal County Council to increase the cap to 36 million and 40 million passengers should proceed through normal channels rather than being circumvented by special legislation.
“It is highly unlikely that any new law would speed up the process to increase the cap,” Spratt wrote, suggesting the standard planning procedures “should be persisted with and concluded” despite political pressure for quicker action.
The airport operator DAA remains “encouraged” by discussions with Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien, who confirmed he is “exploring new legal solutions to the cap.” However, DAA emphasized that conversations need to focus on accelerating Ireland’s planning processes generally.
The 32 million passenger limit, established in 2007, has faced mounting criticism from airlines, business groups, and politicians who argue it restricts growth and competitiveness while discouraging investment in Ireland’s primary international gateway.
DAA’s application to raise the cap to 40 million passengers, submitted in December 2023, has stalled for over a year awaiting additional noise impact information. The airport operator says it cannot provide this data until An Bord Pleanála decides on related flight restrictions.
While the coalition government committed in its program to “lift the passenger cap at Dublin Airport as soon as possible,” the Department of Transport declined to comment on whether Spratt’s skeptical assessment remains its official position.